secateurs

American  

[sek-uh-ter, -tur] / ˈsɛk ə tər, -ˌtɜr /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. scissors or shears, especially pruning shears.

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secateurs British  

/ ˈsɛkətəz, ˌsɛkəˈtɜːz /

plural noun

1. a small pair of shears for pruning, having a pair of pivoted handles, sprung so that they are normally open, and usually a single cutting blade that closes against a flat surface

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Etymology

Origin of secateurs

1880–85; < French < Latin sec ( āre ) to cut ( secant ) + French -ateurs (plural) < Latin -ātor -ator

Example Sentences

If Serena wanted to commune with nature, she thought, she might as well take the secateurs with her and achieve something.

From The New Yorker

The soldiers worked on, like suburban gardeners with their secateurs, tree-loppers and protective gloves.

From The Guardian

Favorite tool: Corona classic hand pruners, which Huston calls by their British name: secateurs.

From Los Angeles Times

I just use secateurs and a plastic container to catch each sprig as I cut it.

From New York Times

When we meet, Tebily is in his vineyard - wearing a Birmingham City fleece as he goes about his daily business, secateurs in hand, carefully tending to his grapes.

From BBC