compass saw

American

noun

Carpentry.

a small handsaw with a narrow, tapering blade for cutting curves of small radii; whipsaw.

compass saw British

noun

a hand saw with a narrow tapered blade for making a curved cut

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of compass saw

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Cut out the ends with a compass saw.

From Mission Furniture How to Make It, Part 3 by Windsor, H. H. (Henry Haven)

Bore holes in the corners of the doors and windows and saw out with keyhole or compass saw.

From Primary Handwork by Dobbs, Ella Victoria

Figure 48.—18th century: The handle of the compass saw, characteristically Dutch in shape, is an outstanding example of a recurring functional design, one which varied according to the hand of the sawer.

From Woodworking Tools 1600-1900 by Welsh, Peter C.

When hardwood is being turned it is sometimes advisable to saw the block almost round with a compass saw or bandsaw, if one is to be had.

From A Course In Wood Turning by Milton, Archie S.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023