cross-cut
cross-cut — adjective
1. designed for cutting across the width or grain of a material, especially wood.
designed for cutting across the width or grain of a material, especially wood.
Rohan used a cross-cut blade to trim the shelf to the right width.
cross-cut blade for widthwise trimming
The carpenter chose a cross-cut saw before shortening the pine board.
Liang bought a cross-cut attachment for jobs that shorten long metal pipes.
The workshop keeps cross-cut teeth sharp for clean cuts across dry wood.
- transverse
more technical and used across many fields, not only cutting
- crosswise
broader everyday word for going from side to side
- lengthwise
going along the full length rather than across it
文法句型
cross-cut + tool / blade / saw
用法筆記
This sense usually describes tools or parts of tools. Distinguish it from adjective sense 2, which describes material that has already been cut this way.
常見錯誤
2. already cut from side to side rather than along the full length.
already cut from side to side rather than along the full length.
The cross-cut pieces of cucumber looked better in the salad bowl.
cross-cut used for prepared pieces
Jack stacked the cross-cut logs beside the stove to dry overnight.
The museum displayed a cross-cut tree trunk that showed fifty annual rings.
Workers loaded cross-cut sections of pipe onto the truck after lunch.
- sectioned
focuses on being divided into parts, not necessarily by one sideways cut
- transverse
more technical and often used in science or engineering
- lengthwise
cut or arranged along the full length
文法句型
cross-cut + piece / log / section
用法筆記
This sense describes the object after the cut is finished. It often appears before nouns such as piece, log, trunk, or section.
常見錯誤
cross-cut — noun
1. a path, opening, or tunnel that passes from one side of a place to the other.
a path, opening, or tunnel that passes from one side of a place to the other.
The miners opened a cross-cut between the two tunnels before winter.
cross-cut between tunnels
A narrow cross-cut through the reeds led the boat back to shore.
Engineers marked a cross-cut through the hill to shorten the new road.
The map showed a muddy cross-cut linking the farm track and riverbank.
- passage
broader word for a way through, without the idea of going across
- cut-through
more informal and often used for roads or shortcuts
- detour
a longer route taken around something
文法句型
a cross-cut between A and B
a cross-cut through + place
用法筆記
This sense is often used for routes or openings that save distance by going straight through something. It is especially common in descriptions of terrain, tracks, and tunnels.
2. a surface or picture showing the inside of something after a sideways cut.
a surface or picture showing the inside of something after a sideways cut.
The teacher passed around a cross-cut of a tree branch in science class.
cross-cut of a natural object
Doctors studied a cross-cut of the bone before planning the operation.
The textbook used a colored cross-cut to explain how the volcano formed.
Adaeze drew a cross-cut of the stem so her lab group could label it.
- surface view
shows only the outside, not the inside after cutting
文法句型
a cross-cut of + object
用法筆記
This sense is common in science, medicine, and engineering when someone studies the inside of an object. It often appears with of plus the thing being shown.
3. a saw made for cutting wood across the grain rather than along it.
a saw made for cutting wood across the grain rather than along it.
Two workers lifted the cross-cut onto the log before the first pull.
cross-cut as a large hand saw
The barn wall still held the old cross-cut above a row of hammers.
Vinícius borrowed a sharp cross-cut to trim the fallen maple branch.
During the lesson, the ranger showed how a cross-cut bites into dry wood.
- rip saw
a saw designed for cutting along the grain
文法句型
use a cross-cut
lift a cross-cut onto + wood
用法筆記
This sense names the tool itself. It is usually used in forestry, carpentry, or historical settings where large hand saws are described.
4. a moment in a film where the picture jumps to another scene and back to connect
a moment in a film where the picture jumps to another scene and back to connect separate actions.
The thriller used a quick cross-cut between the bank and the getaway car.
cross-cut between two related scenes
In the trailer, one cross-cut linked the wedding music with the fire alarm.
The editor added a cross-cut to build tension before the door opened.
Students noticed the final cross-cut when the camera returned to the courtroom.
- crosscutting
the broader technique or process, not always one single editing moment
- intercut
often used as a verb for switching between scenes
- long take
a continuous shot without switching to another scene
文法句型
a cross-cut between scenes
add a cross-cut
用法筆記
This sense belongs to film language. It usually refers to a brief editing move that links two actions happening in different places or at nearly the same time.
cross-cut — verb
1. to move through an area by going across it, or to cut a line straight through it
to move through an area by going across it, or to cut a line straight through it.
The hiking trail cross-cut the wheat field and reached the river fast.
trail cross-cuts an area directly
Surveyors cross-cut a strip through the brush before laying the cable.
cross-cut a strip through land
After the storm, a stream cross-cut the hillside and exposed fresh mud.
To save ten minutes, Christopher cross-cut the park instead of following the avenue.
- traverse
more formal and often used for difficult ground or long distances
- cut across
the most common everyday equivalent in general contexts
- pass through
broader and weaker because it does not stress a direct crossing
- go around
to avoid passing through the middle of something
文法句型
cross-cut + noun phrase
cross-cut through + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense can describe either movement through an area or making a line through it. It often appears with paths, trails, streams, roads, or cleared strips of land.
常見錯誤
2. to cut wood with a saw that works across the grain.
to cut wood with a saw that works across the grain.
Rohan cross-cut the oak board before smoothing the edge with sandpaper.
cross-cut wood across the grain
The crew cross-cut the fallen trunk into shorter pieces for transport.
cross-cut a trunk into shorter lengths
Liang cross-cut the beam outside so sawdust would not fill the shop.
Before sunset, the ranger cross-cut several branches for the campfire.
- rip
to cut wood along the grain instead of across it
文法句型
cross-cut + board / trunk / branch
用法筆記
This sense is specific to cutting wood from side to side. Distinguish it from verb sense 1, which can describe routes or lines through land, not only sawing.
常見錯誤
3. to edit scenes by switching back and forth between them so related actions are l
to edit scenes by switching back and forth between them so related actions are linked.
The director cross-cut the rescue scene with the crowd waiting outside.
cross-cut one scene with another
In the final episode, the editor cross-cut the trial and the confession.
cross-cut two actions for tension
The documentary cross-cut interviews with street footage to show both sides.
Manuela cross-cut the two rehearsal scenes to match each dancer's timing.
- intercut
close film-editing synonym that often sounds more technical
- parallel edit
focuses on showing two actions side by side in time
- hold
to stay on one shot or scene without switching away
文法句型
cross-cut + scenes
cross-cut A with B
用法筆記
This sense belongs to film and video editing. It usually links actions in different places or shows two events developing side by side.