razor

[rey-zer]

noun

1. a sharp-edged instrument used especially for shaving the face or trimming the hair.

2. an electrically powered instrument used for the same purpose.

verb (used with object)

1. to shave, cut, or remove with or as if with a razor.

razor

/ ˈreɪzə /

noun

1. a sharp implement used esp by men for shaving the face

2. in an acute dilemma

verb

1. (tr) to cut or shave with a razor

Other Word Forms

• razorless adjective
• unrazored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of razor¹

1250–1300; Middle English rasour < Old French rasor, equivalent to ras ( er ) to raze + -or -or ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of razor¹

C13: from Old French raseor , from raser to shave; see _raze

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the razor's edge, in a difficult or precarious position.

see sharp as a tack (razor).

Example Sentences

Studying assassinations is indeed like “running a razor blade down the history of international politics: the cut is narrow, but long and deep.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A new generation is being raised - inside the razor wire - inheriting the brutal legacy of the IS.

Read more on BBC

While Endres acknowledges the idea as logically possible, he notes that it runs counter to Occam's razor, the principle that favors simpler explanations.

Read more on Science Daily

During the year of abuse Davies also encouraged or coerced his victim into filming herself committing acts of self-harm and bought her razors to facilitate this.

Read more on BBC

Earlier this month, Oracle shares fell as much as 7.1%—though they later rebounded—following a report suggesting that its margins on renting specialized Nvidia chips were razor thin.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• blade 
• knife 
• shaver