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Webster 1913 Edition

Scissors

Scis′sors

,
Noun.
pl.
[OE.
sisoures
, OF.
cisoires
(cf. F.
ciseaux
), probably fr. LL.
cisorium
a cutting instrument, fr. L.
caedere
to cut. Cf.
Chisel
,
Concise
. The modern spelling is due to a mistaken derivation from L.
scissor
one who cleaves or divides, fr.
scindere
,
scissum
, to cut, split.]
A cutting instrument resembling shears, but smaller, consisting of two cutting blades with handles, movable on a pin in the center, by which they are held together. Often called a
pair of scissors
.
[Formerly written also
cisors
,
cizars
, and
scissars
.]
Scissors grinder
(Zool.)
,
the European goatsucker.
[Prov. Eng.]

Webster 1828 Edition

Scissors

SCISSORS

,
Noun.
siz'zors,
plu.
[L. scissor, from scindo, to cut, Gr.]
A cutting instrument resembling shears, but smaller, consisting of two cutting blades movable on a pin in the center, by which they are fastened. Hence we usually say, a pair of scissors.

Definition 2024

scissors

scissors

English

an assortment of scissors

Noun

scissors pl ‎(plural only)

  1. (countable, plural in form, usually with a plural verb) A tool used for cutting thin material, consisting of two crossing blades attached at a pivot point in such a way that the blades slide across each other when the handles are closed.
    Those scissors are sharp. (indicating singular or plural scissors)
    That scissors is sharp. (less commonly to indicate singular scissors)
    Scissors are used to cut the flowers.
    Use a scissors to cut them if you don't have proper shears.
    • 1947 June 22, “Around the Garden”, in New York Times:
      Roses will last longer if a knife rather than a scissors is used to cut the blooms.
  2. (countable, rugby) An attacking move conducted by two players; the player without the ball runs from one side of the ball carrier, behind the ball carrier, and receives a pass from the ball carrier on the other side.
    They executed a perfect scissors.
  3. (countable, skating) A method of skating with one foot significantly in front of the other.
  4. (countable, gymnastics) An exercise in which the legs are switched back and forth, suggesting the motion of scissors.
  5. (countable, wrestling) A scissors hold.
  6. (countable, rock paper scissors conflict resolution game) A hand with the index and middle fingers open, a handshape resembling scissors, that beats paper and is loses to rock.
  7. (rock paper scissors lizard Spock conflict resolution game) A hand with the index and middle fingers open, a handshape resembling scissors, that cuts (beats) paper and decapitates (beats) lizard and is smashed by (loses to) Spock and is broken by (loses to) rock.

Usage notes

  • "A pair of scissors" is preferred to "a scissors" by about a four-to-one margin in the US (COCA).
  • "The scissors" is preferred to "the scissor" by about a thirty-to-one margin in the US (COCA).

Synonyms

  • (tool used for cutting): pair of scissors; shears
  • (rugby): switch

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

scissors

  1. third-person singular simple present indicative form of scissor

Etymology

From Middle English sisoures (attested since 1350–1400), from Old French cisoires, from Vulgar Latin *cīsōria, plural of Late Latin cīsōrium ‎(“cutting tool”) (compare chisel); from Latin word root -cīsus (compare excise) or caesus, past participle of caedō ‎(“to cut”).

  • The current spelling, from the 16th century, is due to association with Medieval Latin scissor ‎(“tailor”), from Latin carrying the meaning “carver, cutter”, from scindere ‎(“to split”).

Pronunciation

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