jigsaw

American  

[jig-saw] / ˈdʒɪgˌsɔ /

noun

1. Also jig saw an electric machine saw with a narrow blade mounted vertically in a frame, for cutting curves or other difficult lines or patterns.

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verb (used with object)

jigsawed, jigsawed, jigsawn, jigsawing

1. to cut or form with a jigsaw.

adjective

1. formed by or as if by a jigsaw.

   jigsaw ornamentation.

jigsaw British  

/ ˈdʒɪɡˌsɔː /

noun

1. a mechanical saw with a fine steel blade for cutting intricate curves in sheets of material

2. See jigsaw puzzle

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Etymology

Origin of jigsaw

First recorded in 1870–75; jig ² + saw ¹

Example Sentences

“Everyone is really trying to unpiece the jigsaw and get some clarity as to what level of participation they’ll be able to have in it,” Paine said.

From The Wall Street Journal

It's a giant and complicated jigsaw puzzle of 130 separate track panels - not something that can be done when trains are roaring up and down.

From BBC

"It's hard to put into words how special this feels," said the singer, adding that she'd be celebrating Christmas by "obsessing over a jigsaw" with her family in Australia.

From BBC

But, with demanding jobs and no family living nearby to help with childcare, it also looks like an expensive childcare jigsaw.

From BBC

The full-body suit was made up of about 26 overlapping prosthetic pieces that fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• break
• crack
• damage
• divide
• grab
• injure
• mangle
• pull
• rive
• rupture
• separate
• sever
• shred
• slash
• snatch
• split
• wrench
• yank