cutter

[ kuht-er ]

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.

adjective

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

cutter

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutter¹

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

Example Sentences

He carries a ladder, and a wire cutter to cut the razor wire at the top of the wall and make a path for migrants.

From BBC

Bob chats against the buzzing backdrop of whirring industrial tools and woodwork machines in the next room - a laser cutter, bandsaw, lathe and a 3D printer among them.

From BBC

An array of curveballs, cutters and sinkers complemented it perfectly, holding the Yankees hitless over the first three innings.

From Los Angeles Times

In California, health officials have confirmed 180 cases of silicosis among countertop cutters in less than six years, resulting in at least 13 deaths.

From Los Angeles Times

He hit a lazy pop-up on a cutter down the middle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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• blade
• dagger
• machete
• scalpel
• sickle
• skewer
• sword