I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
Etymology: cut (I) + throat
1. : one likely to cut throats : murderer : a murderous character : a hired killer ; sometimes : one fierce and unprincipled
a band of cutthroats that terrorized the area
2. or cutthroat finch : a small African bird ( Amadina fasciata ) resembling a finch and having a deep crimson band about the throat and the rest of the plumage grayish brown marked with white
3.
[by shortening]
: cutthroat trout
4.
a. : any cutthroat game
b. : cutthroat contract
5. : straight razor
6. : kosher hide
II. adjective
1. : having the characteristics of a cutthroat : murderous , cruel
a cutthroat rogue
2. : marked by fierce and unprincipled practices : merciless , ruthless
cutthroat competition
: difficult to win, gain from, or compete against
cutthroat stocks
3. : characterized by each player playing for himself rather than having a permanent partner — used especially of partnership games adapted for three players
cutthroat bridge
cutthroat pinochle