sectile

American  

[sek-til] / ˈsɛk tɪl /

adjective

1. capable of being cut smoothly with a knife.

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sectile British  

/ sɛkˈtɪlɪtɪ, ˈsɛktaɪl /

adjective

1. able to be cut smoothly

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Other Word Forms

• sectility noun

Etymology

Origin of sectile

1710–20; < Latin sectilis cuttable, equivalent to sect ( us ) (past participle of secāre to cut; see saw ¹) + -ilis -ile

Explanation

Talc, the softest known mineral, is sectile — you can cut it with a knife. Gold is another sectile mineral that is relatively easy to cut. Modeling clay is sectile, too. So is fudge, but that's too obvious for people to mention! Sectile comes from the Latin root secare, meaning "cut." And speaking of Latin, you may also read about opus sectile, a style of ancient Roman mosaic art for floors and walls. Instead of using an immense number of tiny pieces of all the same shape, opus sectile involved cutting pieces of stone, shell, or mother-of-pearl into different shapes to form a design. Opus sectile mosaics can still be found in some European churches built during the Renaissance. Opus means "work."

Example Sentences

The mineral is perfectly sectile and has a shining streak; hardness 2.5, specific gravity 7.3.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 5 "Arculf" to "Armour, Philip" by Various

The two panels at the side of the daïs are in opus sectile, a design of hexagons of Pavonazzo, with diamonds of Vert des Alpes between them.

From The Cathedral Church of Peterborough A Description Of Its Fabric And A Brief History Of The Episcopal See by Sweeting, W. D. (Walter Debenham)

It is sectile, but does not yield to the nail.

From Narrative of a Second Expedition to the Shores of the Polar Sea by Franklin, John

The Tablinum in the house of the vestals and the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol were paved with sectile mosaic.

From Rome by Malleson, Hope