cutting

[kuht-ing]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that cuts.

2. something cut, cut off, or cut out.

3. Horticulture.,  a piece, as a root, stem, or leaf, cut from a plant and used for propagation.

4. something made by cutting, as a recording.

5. a form of repetitive self-injury in which a person deliberately cuts the skin, as to cope with stress or negative emotions.

6. Manège.

   1. the removal of a specific animal from a herd of cattle, as performed by a ranch horse.

   2. a competitive exhibition in which horses demonstrate this skill.

7. Chiefly British.,  a clipping from a newspaper, magazine, etc.

8. British.,  a trenchlike excavation, especially through a hill, as one made in constructing a highway.

adjective

1. able to cut or slice.

   a cutting blade.

2. piercing, as a wind.

3. wounding the feelings severely; sarcastic.

   Synonyms: sardonic, acid, mordant, biting, caustic

4. Manège.,  relating to or noting a horse bred or trained for the ranching task of separating a specific animal from a herd of cattle, or the competitive exhibition of this skill: The last day of the rodeo was dedicated to the cutting competition and barrel racing finals.

   Champion cutting horses are bred for agility.

   The last day of the rodeo was dedicated to the cutting competition and barrel racing finals.

cutting

/ ˈkʌtɪŋ /

noun

1. a piece cut off from the main part of something

2. horticulture

   1. a method of vegetative propagation in which a part of a plant, such as a stem or leaf, is induced to form its own roots

   2. a part separated for this purpose

3. Also called (esp US and Canadian): clipping. an article, photograph, etc, cut from a newspaper or other publication

4. the editing process by which a film is cut and made

5. an excavation in a piece of high land for a road, railway, etc, enabling it to remain at approximately the same level

6. informal,  sharp-wittedness

   there is no cutting in him

7. (modifier) designed for or adapted to cutting; edged; sharp

   a cutting tool

adjective

1. keen; piercing

   a cutting wind

2. tending to hurt the feelings

   a cutting remark

Other Word Forms

• cuttingly adverb
• cuttingness noun
• noncutting adjective
• self-cutting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutting¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; cut, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

As well as cutting taxes, Reform's manifesto also said it would considerably increase spending, including on the NHS, defence, policing and prisons.

From BBC

Asked about what he would do as chancellor, Tice said the party's priority would be to focus on savings and cutting regulation.

From BBC

The firm is considering ways to soften the impact of tariffs by adjusting its supply chain and cutting costs, though changes will take time, he told analysts.

From BBC

“Erewhon is all about being at the cutting edge of food and beverage, for a premium price,” Wells said.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite my queasiness about cutting “Oz” by half an hour, the experiment is a romp.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acerbic 
• barbed 
• biting 
• caustic 
• piercing 
• pointed 
• sarcastic 
• sardonic 
• scathing 
• stinging www.thesaurus.com
• trenchant