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View synonyms for scissors

scissors

[ siz-erz ]

noun

  1. (used with a singular or plural verb) a cutting instrument for paper, cloth, etc., consisting of two blades, each having a ring-shaped handle, that are so pivoted together that their sharp edges work one against the other (often used with pair of ).
  2. (used with a singular verb) Gymnastics. any of several feats in which the legs execute a scissorlike motion.
  3. (used with a singular verb) Wrestling. a hold secured by clasping the legs around the body or head of the opponent.


scissors

/ ˈsɪzəz /

plural noun

  1. Also calledpair of scissors a cutting instrument used for cloth, hair, etc, having two crossed pivoted blades that cut by a shearing action, with ring-shaped handles at one end
  2. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler wraps his legs round his opponent's body or head, locks his feet together, and squeezes
  3. any gymnastic or athletic feat in which the legs cross and uncross in a scissor-like movement
  4. athletics a technique in high-jumping, now little used, in which the legs perform a scissor-like movement in clearing the bar


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Derived Forms

  • ˈscissor-ˌlike, adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scissors1

1350–1400; Middle English cisoures, sisoures < Middle French cisoires < Medieval Latin *cīsōria, plural of Late Latin cīsōrium cutting tool ( chisel ); current spelling by association with Latin scindere to cut (past participle scīssus ), Medieval Latin scīssor tailor

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Word History and Origins

Origin of scissors1

C14 sisoures, from Old French cisoires, from Vulgar Latin cīsōria (unattested), ultimately from Latin caedere to cut; see chisel

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Example Sentences

Do you think Beth knew what would happen if she stabbed Dawn with those scissors?

The wounds Kralik suffered were consistent with what the scissors would have caused.

He still cuts and pastes—literally, with scissors and tape—as he edits each chapter of each book.

Cas9 are the molecular scissors that cut out what he does not like: the normal CCR5 that welcomes in HIV.

A collection of rock-like papier-mâché sculptures stands across from “Cymbals, Smoke and Scissors.”

Taking the scissors from Violet's workbag, she cut the laundry bag carefully into two pieces, saving the cord for a clothesline.

They were tangled, too, and Jess cut them off evenly by a string, with Violet's little scissors.

Miss Rivers took up some brown leaves which she was cutting out with scissors, and shaping.

“It comes from the dead,” said she, but she opened it at last, cutting round the large seal with a pair of scissors.

At his belt he carries a pair of scissors to cut the long leaves of the green tobacco he smokes into the hollow of his hand.

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scissorlikescissors chair