scissors

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an edge tool having two crossed pivoting blades
  2. noun a wrestling hold in which you wrap your legs around the opponents body or head and put your feet together and squeeze
  3. noun a gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast moves his legs as the blades of scissors move

Etymology

From Middle English sisours (attested since 1350–1400), from Old French cisoirs, from Late Latin cīsōria, plural of cīsōrium (“cutting tool”); from Latin word root -cīsus (compare excise) or caesus, past participle of caedō (“to cut”). Partially displaced native Old English sċēara (“scissors, shears”), whence shears. Doublet of chisel. The current spelling, from the 16th century, is due to association with Medieval Latin scissor (“tailor”), from Latin carrying the meaning “carver, cutter”, from scindō (“to split”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

pair of scissors

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