saw¹ (sô)
n.
Any of various tools, either hand-operated or power-driven, having a thin metal blade or disk with a sharp, usually toothed edge, used for cutting wood, metal, or other hard materials.


v., sawed, sawed, or sawn (sôn), saw·ing, saws.

v.tr.

1. To cut or divide with a saw.
2. To produce or shape with a saw: sawed a hole in the board.
3. To make back-and-forth motions through or on: a speaker who saws the air with his arms.

v.intr.

1. To use a saw: sawing along the chalk line.
2. To undergo cutting with a saw: Pine wood saws easily.

[Middle English sawe, from Old English sagu.]

sawer saw'er n.

saw² (sô)
n.
A familiar saying, especially one that has become trite through repetition. See synonyms at saying.

[Middle English sawe, from Old English sagu, speech.]

saw³ (sô)
v.
Past tense of see¹.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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