Cuttings: meaning, definitions and examples

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cuttings

[ˈkʌtɪŋz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in gardening

Pieces cut from a plant, typically to be used for propagation.

Synonyms

clipping, scion, slip.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cuttings	Used in gardening and horticulture to refer to pieces of plants that are cut off with the intention of propagating new plants. She took cuttings from her favorite rose bush to grow more of them
slip	Often used in gardening to refer to a small piece of plant, particularly a shoot, that is used for planting. Can also refer to pottery materials. She planted the slips in pots to grow new houseplants
scion	Specifically used in horticulture and botany to refer to a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting. The gardener selected a healthy scion to graft onto the existing apple tree

Word

Description / Examples

cuttings

Used in gardening and horticulture to refer to pieces of plants that are cut off with the intention of propagating new plants.

She took cuttings from her favorite rose bush to grow more of them

slip

Often used in gardening to refer to a small piece of plant, particularly a shoot, that is used for planting. Can also refer to pottery materials.

She planted the slips in pots to grow new houseplants

scion

Specifically used in horticulture and botany to refer to a young shoot or twig of a plant, especially one cut for grafting or rooting.

The gardener selected a healthy scion to graft onto the existing apple tree

Examples of usage

I took some cuttings from my rose bushes to grow new plants.
The cuttings were placed in water to encourage root growth.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in journalism

Excerpts or selections taken from a larger piece of writing.

Synonyms

excerpt, extract, selection.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cuttings	This word is commonly used in gardening or plant propagation to refer to pieces of plants that are cut off to grow new plants. I took some cuttings from my rose bush to start new plants Gardeners often use cuttings to propagate their favorite flowers
excerpt	The term is used when referring to a short part taken from a book, speech, article, or other written or spoken work. He read an excerpt from his novel during the book signing The teacher gave us an excerpt from Shakespeare to analyze
selection	This word is used when talking about a carefully chosen part or group of people or items from a larger whole. He gave us a selection of poems to read The museum has a fine selection of ancient artifacts
extract	This word is used to denote a smaller part taken from a larger text or a substance taken from plants or other sources. It can also have a figurative meaning. The extract from the report shows an increase in sales Vanilla extract is a common ingredient in baking

Examples of usage

The article included cuttings from the author's latest book.
The editor decided to include several cuttings from the speech in the newspaper.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

in hairdressing

Sections of hair that have been cut from a longer length.

Synonyms

hair clippings, hair fragments, hair trimmings.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
cuttings	Generally refers to small pieces or sections that have been cut off from something larger. This term can be used in various contexts, for example, gardening or cooking. The gardener collected rose cuttings to plant them in a different part of the garden. She used vegetable cuttings to make a delicious stock.
hair clippings	Refers to small pieces of hair that have been cut off, usually during a haircut. It has a neutral connotation. The barber swept up the hair clippings from the floor. Hair clippings can be reused for certain composting methods.
hair trimmings	Indicates small amounts of hair trimmed off during grooming or haircutting. Commonly used in everyday language with a neutral implication. The pet groomer cleaned up the dog's hair trimmings. Gather the hair trimmings and dispose of them properly.
hair fragments	Specifically denotes broken pieces or shattered parts of hair. Used rarely and often carries a more negative or technical connotation. The forensic team examined the hair fragments found at the crime scene. Hair fragments in the comb indicated potential damage and breakage.

Examples of usage

The stylist showed me the cuttings from my hair before and after the haircut.
She swept up the cuttings from the floor after the hair trim.

Interesting Facts

Botany

Cuttings are used in gardening to grow new plants from parts of existing ones, like stems or leaves.
This method can be more affordable and quicker than planting seeds, as it allows gardeners to replicate favorite plants easily.
There are different types of cuttings, including stem, leaf, and root cuttings, each with specific planting techniques.

Art and Design

In arts and crafts, cuttings refer to shapes or designs made from cutting paper or other materials to create collages or decorations.
Cutting techniques are essential in various crafts, like scrapbooking, where artists share their visual stories by using different cuttings.
This creative process allows artists to express individuality, creating unique pieces from existing materials.

Publishing

In journalism, 'cuttings' can refer to clippings from newspapers or magazines that highlight specific articles or news stories.
These clippings are often collected for reference or citation, preserving insights from various publications.
They play a role in tracking media presence for companies or individuals, providing a history of coverage.

Science and Research

In scientific studies, researchers may use 'cuttings' to refer to samples taken from larger specimens for analysis.
This method allows for testing without damaging the original material, maintaining integrity while gaining valuable data.
Cutting-edge technology sometimes involves the reduction of larger components into smaller, manageable sizes for further research.

Culinary

In cooking, 'cuttings' might refer to the trimmings or scraps left over after preparing ingredients, such as vegetable peelings.
Professional chefs often find innovative ways to use cuttings to minimize waste and maximize flavors in their dishes.
These scraps can also be composted or added to stocks to enhance flavor, demonstrating a sustainable approach to food preparation.

Translations

Translations of the word "cuttings" in other languages:

🇵🇹 estacas

🇮🇳 काटने

🇩🇪 Stecklinge

🇮🇩 stek

🇺🇦 живці

🇵🇱 sadzonki

🇯🇵 挿し木

🇫🇷 boutures

🇪🇸 esquejes

🇹🇷 çelik

🇰🇷 꺾꽂이

🇸🇦 قصاصات

🇨🇿 řízky

🇸🇰 rezne

🇨🇳 插条

🇸🇮 potaknjenci

🇮🇸 sprotar

🇰🇿 шламдар

🇬🇪 ჭრა

🇦🇿 şitillər

🇲🇽 esquejes

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,872 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
9869 rigidity
9870 diarrhea
9871 inoculation
9872 cuttings
9873 lithium
9874 shortened
9875 precaution
...