cut-out
|cut/out|
/ˈkʌt.aʊt/
cut away / removed by cutting
Etymology
'cut-out' originates from Modern English as a compound of the verb 'cut' and the adverb 'out', where 'cut' goes back to Old English (see below) meaning 'to cut' and 'out' comes from Old English 'ūt' meaning 'out'.
'cut' derives from Old English or Middle English forms (related to Old Norse and Middle English usage); 'out' comes from Old English 'ūt'. The phrase 'cut out' (literally 'cut away') was used in earlier English, and by later Modern English the compound form 'cut-out' (hyphenated) developed for the noun/adjective senses.
Initially it meant 'removed by cutting' (literal sense). Over time it developed figurative and specialized senses such as 'a paper figure', 'an opening made by cutting', 'a front or proxy', and adjective senses meaning 'made to be removed by cutting' or 'detached'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a shape, figure, or piece of paper/cardboard that has been cut out; a paper or cardboard figure used for decoration or display.
She glued a paper cut-out of a bird onto the scrapbook page.
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Noun 2
an opening, notch, or recess made by cutting away part of a surface or object (a cut-out).
The dress has a small cut-out at the waist.
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Noun 3
a person or organization used as a front or intermediary to conceal the identity of the true participant (a front/proxy).
They used a cut-out to hide the real owner's involvement in the transaction.
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Adjective 1
made by cutting away or designed to be removed by cutting; used to describe patterns, templates, or decorative pieces.
The magazine included cut-out templates for holiday cards.
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Last updated: 2025/12/20 14:00