jigsaw

[ jig-saw ]

noun

1. Also jig saw. an electric machine saw with a narrow blade mounted vertically in a frame, for cutting curves or other difficult lines or patterns.

verb (used with object)

, jig·sawed, jig·sawed or jig·sawn, jig·saw·ing.

1. to cut or form with a jigsaw.

adjective

1. formed by or as if by a jigsaw:

   jigsaw ornamentation.

jigsaw

/ ˈdʒɪɡˌsɔː /

noun

1. a mechanical saw with a fine steel blade for cutting intricate curves in sheets of material
2. See jigsaw puzzle

Word History and Origins

Origin of jigsaw¹

First recorded in 1870–75; jig ² + saw ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of jigsaw¹

C19: from jig (to jerk up and down rapidly) + saw ¹

Example Sentences

The OSA is just one part of a global jigsaw puzzle of laws and legal action.

From BBC

"We're a jigsaw and there will always be a part missing. It will never be complete."

From BBC

He said that though the rate of pay each hour was "an improving picture, it's one part of the jigsaw".

From BBC

His one-day visit is the final piece in the Department of Health's reset jigsaw which has recently seen the publication of the long-awaited report on hospital reform and other plans on rebooting health service reform.

From BBC

Players have to arrange falling different shapes, each composed of four blocks, to make them fit together like a jigsaw into horizontal lines that vanish when completed.

From BBC

Related Words

• break
• crack
• damage
• divide
• grab
• injure
• mangle
• pull
• rive
• rupture
• separate
• sever
• shred
• slash
• snatch
• split
• wrench
• yank