cutlery

[kuht-luh-ree]

See more synonyms for cutlery on Thesaurus.com

noun

cutting instruments collectively, especially knives for cutting food.
utensils, as knives, forks, and spoons, used at the table for serving and eating food.
the trade or business of a cutler.

Origin of cutlery

1300–50; Middle English cutellerie < Middle French coutelerie; see cutler, -y³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for cutlery

tableware, cutlery, flatware, service, hollowware

Examples from the Web for cutlery

Historical Examples of cutlery

His eyes fell, his bravado vanished, he fumbled with the cutlery.
Ruggles of Red Gap
Harry Leon Wilson
A tinkle of cutlery and a slight jingle of glasses were heard.
End of the Tether
Joseph Conrad
"Come out of that," said I, "and take this cutlery up to my room," and they did.
The O'Ruddy
Stephen Crane
Now, in this branch of cutlery, the labor is the manufacturer's main expense.
Put Yourself in His Place
Charles Reade
Milan is also the chief seat of the Italian cutlery manufacture.
Up To Date Business
Various

British Dictionary definitions for cutlery

cutlery

noun

implements used for eating, such as knives, forks, and spoons
instruments used for cutting
the art or business of a cutler

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

Word Origin and History for cutlery

mid-14c., from Old French coutelerie (13c., Modern French coutellerie) "cutting utensils," also "knife-making," from coutel "knife," from Latin cultellus (see cutlass).