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

Derived Forms

• ˈcuttingly, adverb

Other Words From

• cut·ting·ly adverb
• cut·ting·ness noun
• non·cut·ting adjective noun
• self-cut·ting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cutting¹

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

Example Sentences

We experienced management cutting staff, liquidating real estate, and leaving customers’ orders unfulfilled.

From Fortune

Although the oil industry has traditionally relied on heavy-duty equipment like deep-hole drilling machines, these devices were typically not connected to the Internet or configured to work with more cutting-edge analytical systems.

From Fortune

This razor-sharp, stainless steel pizza cutting wheel is a great way to get even slices every time.

From Popular-Science

It’s unclear if investors will be prepared to invest in these businesses if losses spiral, so cost-cutting is the only way.

From Digiday

Innovative companies and cutting-edge startups have a vital role to play in developing this field, as do science and research.

From Fortune

Not to be left behind, progressives in neighboring Wisconsin clamored to join the cutting edge of public health.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of just cutting out whole food groups, Bacon says people should pay attention to how food makes them feel.

From The Daily Beast

Lay the butterflied pork loin on the cutting board with the fat cap facing down.

From The Daily Beast

He had a special knife designed to cut the dense loaf, and a ceremony to precede cutting the cake.

From The Daily Beast

Unfortunately, that means suppressing fire or cutting down all the pretty uninfected trees can cause mistletoe outbreaks.

From The Daily Beast

Mrs. Newbolt was cutting splints for her new sun-bonnet out of a pasteboard box.

From Project Gutenberg

"It is good to pray here," she said, in a tone the mildness and sincerity of which made the reproach more cutting.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of cutting new works, page by page, people cut them altogether!

From Project Gutenberg

The rest is done by cutting away two upper and four under-teeth, and substituting false ones at the desired angle.

From Project Gutenberg

As they went cutting sidewise through the water, the sails bellied taut, with the wind filling and overflowing them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acerbic
• barbed
• biting
• caustic
• piercing
• pointed
• sarcastic
• sardonic
• scathing
• stinging
• trenchant