[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cutting.html)

[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / cutting

[← C](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/C/)

# cutting

«cutting» in Mova's school dictionary: **using a knife, scissors or other sharp tool to divide or…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

### part of speech

verb, -ing form of cut (cut, cuts, cut, cutting); noun (a cutting, cuttings); adjective (cutting)

### meaning for a pupil

1) As part of the verb, cutting means using a knife, scissors or other sharp tool to divide or open something now. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#m1)

2) A cutting is a small piece cut from a plant so that it grows into a new plant. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#m2)

3) A cutting (UK) is a piece cut out of a newspaper. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#m3)

4) Cutting (adjective) describes words that are unkind and hurt: «a cutting remark», or wind that is very cold. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#m4)

### sense in the lessons

In art and design, cutting with scissors is a skill: cut away from your body and pass scissors handle first. In science, plant cuttings show how some plants grow new roots. In cooking, use a chopping board when cutting. Phrases: «cutting edge» (the newest technology), «cutting corners» (doing something badly to save time), «cutting in» (pushing into a line).

### examples

- I am cutting out shapes for the poster. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x1)
- Use a board when cutting vegetables. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x2)
- Always cut away from your hand. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x3)
- We grew a new plant from a cutting. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x4)
- Grandma keeps newspaper cuttings in a box. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x5)
- A cutting wind blew off the sea. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x6)
- Stop cutting in the queue! [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x7)
- That was a cutting thing to say. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x8)
- “Barbecue, Flint—what house?” came the cutting retort. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/#x9)

### note

«Cut» does not change in the past: cut, cut — the t doubles in «cutting». In maths, cutting a shape into equal parts makes fractions: a cake cut into 4 equal parts gives quarters.

### In the corpora

- [Fabric scissors are kept only for cloth, because cutting paper or card makes the blades blunt.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/arts/31-crafts-paper-clay-sewing-knitting-slime/15/)
- [Animals can get their heads or beaks caught in plastic drink rings, so cutting the rings before throwing them away helps.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/226-kindness-to-wild-animals/9/)
- [A grown-up set has 8 incisors for cutting, 4 canines for gripping, 8 premolars and 12 molars for grinding.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/351-teeth-baby-teeth-grown-up-teeth-and-wobbly-teeth/10/)
- [Cutting toenails straight across helps stop ingrown toenails, where the edge grows into the skin and can get sore and infected.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/biology/356-nails-sweat-and-smells-smelly-feet-armpits-and-bad-breath/17/)
- [Folding, bending and cutting change only shape; they are physical changes, not chemical ones.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/chemistry/9-changes-you-can-and-cannot-undo/10/)

### Trees and pragmatics

[Every meaning and example of «cutting» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cutting/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.