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Cuts: meaning, definitions and examples

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cuts

 

[ kʌts ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

physical injury

Cuts refer to injuries that break the skin, often resulting in bleeding, pain, and the potential for infection. They can vary in depth and size and are usually treated with cleaning and bandaging.

Synonyms

gashes, lacerations, wounds.

Examples of usage

  • I got some cuts on my hand while cooking.
  • The cuts from the barbed wire still sting.
  • He suffered many cuts during the game.
  • The doctor examined the cuts on her leg.
Context #2 | Verb

to sever

To cut means to divide or separate something using a sharp tool or instrument. This action can be applied to various materials, including paper, fabric, and food.

Synonyms

chop, sever, slice.

Examples of usage

  • She cuts the paper into small pieces.
  • He cuts his hair every month.
  • Please cut the cake into equal slices.
  • The chef cuts vegetables for the salad.
Context #3 | Noun

reduction

Cuts can also refer to reductions made in budgets, costs, or resources. This term is commonly used in financial and corporate contexts to denote lessening expenses or allocations.

Synonyms

decreases, reductions, trims.

Examples of usage

  • The company announced cuts in its budget.
  • Due to the economic downturn, there will be cuts in staff.
  • They made cuts to the project funding.
  • Budget cuts affected the quality of the services.

Etymology

The word 'cut' comes from the Old English term 'cuttian', meaning 'to separate, divide, or remove'. It has Germanic origins, related to words in similar languages like the Old High German 'kuzzōn' and the Dutch 'snijden', which also relate to severing or intersecting material. The concept of cutting has been essential throughout history, not just in physical tasks but also in creative contexts such as cutting film or editing written works. As language evolved, 'cut' expanded in its usage to encompass various meanings, including metaphorical ones, as in 'cutting ties' or 'cutting back', illustrating the versatility of the term in modern English.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,956, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.