Word: cut-out Part of Speech: noun Etymology: Deverbal from cut out. Pronunciation: /ˈkʌt.aʊt/, /ˈkʌɾ-/ 1. A hole or space produced when something is removed by cutting. Example: a dress with cut-out sides Example: Mr. John L[awrence] Gihon, a well-known photographer, knowing the difficulty which many have experienced in the making and use of the medallions, has made for the trade some very fine medallions and masks or cut-outs of different sizes. 2. A piece cut out of something. Example: Unless a boy is a very good carpenter, and has great patience and plenty of time at his command, I cannot advise him to attempt making a built model,—at all events, not until he has formed several cut-outs first. One of these "cut-outs" will serve as a model or form from which he may frame his "built vessel," with such modifications as he may deem necessary. Example: When preparing an activity, simply copy the activity cards, cut them apart, and attach them to the cut-outs. If desired, laminate and cut out the assembled cut-outs for extra durability. 3. A piece cut out of something. Example: The sentry didn't answer. Taking a closer look at him I realised he wasn't a real sentry but a cut-out sentry, guarding not a real but a cut-out border. Example: The best of friends become the worst of enemies when Barney makes a hilarious attack ad where he viciously pummels a cardboard cut-out of Homer before special guest star Linda Ronstadt joins the fun to both continue the attack on the helpless Homer stand-in and croon a slanderously accurate, insanely catchy jingle about how "Mr. Plow is a loser/And I think he is a boozer." 4. A piece cut out of something. Example: Use a 1½-inch (4 cm) cutter to remove the center of twelve cookies; the cookie centers need the same baking time. Bake all the cookies (including the center cut-outs) for 12 minutes, or until the bottoms are light golden brown. 5. An item of clothing, such as a dress or shoe, designed with portions cut away. 6. A trusted middleman or intermediary, especially in espionage. Example: A cut-out, or intermediary, forms the link between two agents or between an agent and the outside world. He may know very little about the organization and just carry messages, or he may be a liaison officer who is able to answer questions and take decisions; but the important thing is that he should not undertake any other subversive activity. […] A cut-out should be able to contact inconspicuously each of the two agents between whom he is the link. Example: In alias, I recruited a fellow who worked for a foreign Communist installation (I thought this was a nice touch) to serve as our go-between, or cutout as it is called in the trade, […] 7. A piece of clip art. 8. Any of several devices that halt the flow of a current, especially an electric current; a trip-switch or trip. Example: The automatic magnetic cut out, opens the circuit between battery and generator when the generator is running slow or engine is stopped, also referred to as the "vibrator type" of cut out. Example: The semiconductor also enhances regulation of the charging system, the older dynamo being controlled by two or three relay-like devices: 1. a cut-out that disconnects the dynamo from the battery when the generated voltage drops below that of the battery, as is the case when the engine is not running. 9. A switch that changes the current from one circuit to another, or for shortening a circuit. 10. A railway cutting. Labels: US 11. The separation of a group of cattle from a herd; the place where they are collected. Labels: US Example: When the stray men have worked the herd, it is drove off a ways and turned loose. The calves in the cut-out groups are then branded and turned loose with their mothers; the strays are thrown into the stray herd or day herd.