ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cutting

n. · adj. · v.
US //ˈkətɪŋ// UK //kˈʌtɪŋ// cut·ting
  1. 1 plant part (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    a small piece of a plant that you cut off and plant to grow a new one.

    a vegetative portion of a plant, such as a stem or leaf, removed for the purpose of asexual propagation.

    Example

    She took a cutting from her friend's rose bush to grow in her own garden.

    Example

    The gardener dipped the base of the cutting into rooting hormone before placing it in a well-drained compost mix to encourage growth.
  2. 2 newspaper article (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    an article or picture cut out from a newspaper or magazine.

    an article, photograph, or advertisement physically excised from a periodical.

    Example

    He kept a folder full of newspaper cuttings about his local football team.

    Example

    The archive contains thousands of press cuttings dating back to the early twentieth century, providing a unique record of local history.
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  1. 3 self-harm (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    the act of intentionally cutting your own skin, often because of emotional pain.

    the practice of intentionally inflicting superficial wounds on one's own body as a manifestation of psychological distress.

    Example

    The doctor explained that cutting is often a sign of deep emotional struggle.

    Example

    The clinical study examined the correlation between adolescent anxiety disorders and the prevalence of cutting as a maladaptive coping mechanism.
    • self harm
    • self mutilation
  2. 4 excavated path (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Technical

    a path or passage dug through high ground for a road or railway.

    an open passage excavated through higher ground to allow a transport route to maintain a relatively level grade.

    Example

    The train slowed down as it entered a deep cutting through the hills.

    Example

    Engineers had to blast through solid granite to create the railway cutting, a feat that took nearly three years to complete.
  3. 5 hurtful speech (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    unkind and likely to hurt someone's feelings.

    intentionally cruel, sharp, or stinging in nature; typically used of remarks or criticism.

    Example

    He made a cutting remark about her dress that made her feel very embarrassed.

    Example

    Her cutting critique of the director's latest film was widely circulated, effectively ending his hopes for a major award nomination.
  4. 6 piercing cold (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    feeling very sharp and cold, like a knife.

    penetratingly cold or sharp; used to describe wind or weather conditions.

    Example

    A cutting wind blew across the open fields, making everyone shiver.

    Example

    The cutting winter gale forced the sailors to seek shelter in the lee of the cliffs until the storm subsided.
  5. 7 dividing or reducing (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    the action of using a sharp tool to divide something or make it smaller.

    the present participle of 'cut', denoting the act of incision, reduction, or division.

    Example

    She was busy cutting the vegetables for the soup when the phone rang.

    Example

    The government is currently cutting expenditure across several departments to address the growing budget deficit.
Origin

From cut + -ing.

Idioms1 entry

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