cutout

American  

[kuht-out] / ˈkʌtˌaʊt /

noun

1. something cut out from something else, as a pattern or figure cut out or intended to be cut out of paper, cardboard, or other material.

2. a valve in the exhaust pipe of an internal-combustion engine, which when open permits the engine to exhaust directly into the air ahead of the muffler.

3. an act or instance of cutting out.

4. Slang. a trusted intermediary between two espionage agents or agencies.

5. Electricity. a device for the manual or automatic interruption of electric current.

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Usage

What is a cutout? A cutout is something that is cut from something else, such as an image of a celebrity printed on a large sheet of cardboard with all the unprinted cardboard cut away. To cut out is to shape or form by cutting. The result is a cutout, as in When Darby made the wooden dollhouse, he made sure to include square cutouts in the walls to represent windows. In electrical engineering, a cutout is a device that interrupts the electrical current to a device, such as a lamp. Example: There was a cutout of the celebrity outside the theater on opening weekend.

Etymology

Origin of cutout

First recorded in 1790–1800; noun use of verb phrase cut out

Example Sentences

Since this weekend is the season finale at Dodgers Stadium, which game is Cutout Appreciation Day?

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 25, 2020

First New Deal Cutout This is a cutout of my very first pro graphic on New Deal.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cutout paper versions of butterflies hung from streamers and lampposts.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Cutout will not close at any engine speed.

From The Automobile Storage Battery Its Care And Repair by Witte, Otto A.

Cutout relay closing late, resulting in battery not being charged at ordinary driving speeds.

From The Automobile Storage Battery Its Care And Repair by Witte, Otto A.

Related Words

• broker
• emissary
• go-between
• mediator
• negotiator