coping saw

American  

noun

1. a saw consisting of a thin, light blade held, under tension, in a U -shaped frame that has a handle: used for cutting small curves in wood.

---

coping saw British  

noun

1. a handsaw with a U-shaped frame used for cutting curves in a material too thick for a fret saw

---

Etymology

Origin of coping saw

First recorded in 1930–35

Compare meaning

How does coping-saw compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• fret saw vs. coping saw

Example Sentences

I used my father’s little coping saw to cut them into circles.

From Literature

A simple handsaw, such as a hacksaw or coping saw, should work fine.

From Washington Post

She received a photograph showing a set of tools, including a knife and coping saw, as well as a message instructing her to tape the money to the tire of her daughter’s vehicle.

From Los Angeles Times

Cutting Small Wheels.—A circle of the desired size wheel may be laid out on the wood with the aid of a compass, and cut in the outline with a coping saw or band saw.

From Project Gutenberg

They are designed to be made with the coping saw out of thin wood.

From Project Gutenberg