cutter

American  

[kuht-er] / ˈkʌt ər /

noun

1. a person who cuts, especially as a job, as one who cuts fabric for garments.

2. a machine, tool, or other device for cutting.

3. Nautical.

   1. a single-masted sailing vessel, very similar to a sloop but having its mast set somewhat farther astern, about two-fifths of the way aft measured on the water line.

   2. a ship's boat having double-banked oars and one or two lugsails.

4. Also called revenue cutter.  a lightly armed government vessel used to prevent smuggling and enforce the customs regulations.

5. a person who repeatedly inflicts self-injury by cutting the skin, as to cope with negative emotions.

6. a person employed as a film editor.

7. a small, light sleigh, usually single-seated and pulled by one horse.

8. Also called rubber.  a brick suitable for cutting and rubbing.

9. (in U.S. government grading of beef )

   1. a low-quality grade of beef between utility and canner.

   2. beef of this grade, mostly used in processed beef products, as sausage.

10. Baseball. cut fastball.

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adjective

1. (in U.S. government grading of beef ) graded between utility and canner.

cutter British  

/ ˈkʌtə /

noun

1. a person or thing that cuts, esp a person who cuts cloth for clothing

2. a sailing boat with its mast stepped further aft so as to have a larger foretriangle than that of a sloop

3. a ship's boat, powered by oars or sail, for carrying passengers or light cargo

4. a small lightly armed boat, as used in the enforcement of customs regulations

5. a pig weighing between 68 and 82 kg, from which fillets and larger joints are cut

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Etymology

Origin of cutter

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English kittere, cuttere; cut, -er ¹

Example Sentences

Based on a traditional Norwegian treat, the set of 10 graduated cookie cutters makes creating a charming yuletide tree as simple as roll, bake, stack.

From The Wall Street Journal

The melons had already been freed from the vine by the cutters, farmworkers well-versed in when the fruit is ripe.

From Los Angeles Times

Building on a $198 million contract it awarded Shield AI in 2024, the Coast Guard said it plans to add V-BATs to a dozen cutters, plus more on land near the U.S. southern border.

From The Wall Street Journal

Enthralled, I personally commissioned David Stockman, Ronald Reagan’s own legendary budget cutter, to map out how it could be done.

From The Wall Street Journal

Midway through the game, Yamamoto started throwing cutters, which induced contact and limited his pitch count.

From Los Angeles Times

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