/ sɔː; NAmE / noun , verb
—see also see verb
■ noun
1.
(often in compounds) a tool that has a long blade with sharp points (called teeth ) along one of its edges. A saw is moved backwards and forwards by hand or driven by electricity and is used for cutting wood or metal.
—see also chainsaw , circular saw , fretsaw , hacksaw , handsaw , jigsaw
2.
( old-fashioned ) a short phrase or sentence that states a general truth about life or gives advice
■ verb ( sawed , sawn / sɔːn; NAmE /) ( NAmE also sawed , sawed )
1.
to use a saw to cut sth :
[ v ]
The workmen sawed and hammered all day.
He accidentally sawed through a cable.
[ vn ]
She sawed the plank in half.
2.
saw (away) (at sth) to move sth backwards and forwards on sth as if using a saw :
[ v ]
She sawed away at her violin.
He was sawing energetically at a loaf of bread.
[also vn ]
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- saw sth down
- saw sth off | saw sth off sth
- saw sth up (into sth)
••
WORD ORIGIN
noun sense 1 and verb Old English saga , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch zaag .
noun sense 2 Old English sagu a saying, speech , of Germanic origin; related to German Sage , also to say and saga .