View synonyms for scissors

scissors

[ siz-erz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

(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 ).
(used with a singular verb) Gymnastics. any of several feats in which the legs execute a scissorlike motion.
(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

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
a wrestling hold in which a wrestler wraps his legs round his opponent's body or head, locks his feet together, and squeezes
any gymnastic or athletic feat in which the legs cross and uncross in a scissor-like movement
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

He said he had been shown around the store, and had been given a pair of scissors to cut the ribbon.

From BBC

A man has been jailed for 30 years for trying to kill a police officer by stabbing him in the head with a pair of scissors.

From BBC

In De Longe’s classroom, I grabbed a pair of scissors, cut through the new rug’s plastic packaging and unfurled it on the hardwood floor.

From Los Angeles Times

On Aug. 14, according to police reports, Chapman found Sindle maniacally chopping up a piece of binder paper with scissors.

From Los Angeles Times

The CRISPR-Cas9 molecular complex, also known as genetic scissors, is the most widely used tool by scientists around the world.

From Science Daily

scissorlike scissors chair

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