kerf

[ kurf ]

noun

1. a cut or incision made by a saw or the like in a piece of wood.
2. Mining. a deep cut a few inches high, used to undermine a portion of a coal or mineral seam.
3. the act of cutting or carving.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a kerf or kerfs in (a piece of wood, a coal seam, etc.).

kerf

/ kɜːf /

noun

1. the cut made by a saw, an axe, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerf¹

before 1000; Middle English kerf, kirf, Old English cyrf a cutting (cognate with Old Frisian kerf ); akin to carve

Word History and Origins

Origin of kerf¹

Old English cyrf a cutting; related to Old English ceorfan to carve

Example Sentences

Cut your kerf on the side toward the landing place, let the notch go half-way or a trifle more through the trunk.

From Project Gutenberg

When the first kerf is finished begin another one on the opposite side of the tree a little higher than the first one (Fig. 114).

From Project Gutenberg

Two pieces of wood are glued one on the top of the other, the required angle is transferred thereto, and the saw kerf made.

From Project Gutenberg

The first chips that flew were ten inches long, but they quickly dwindled as the kerf sank in.

From Project Gutenberg

The butt-kerf was two-thirds through the tree when Yan called "One minute up."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• laceration
• wound