bastard-saw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialised technical term)Technical, Trade (carpentry, woodworking), Historical
Quick answer
What does “bastard-saw” mean?
A type of saw with a coarse tooth pattern, intermediate in coarseness between a crosscut and a ripsaw, used for general-purpose cutting of wood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of saw with a coarse tooth pattern, intermediate in coarseness between a crosscut and a ripsaw, used for general-purpose cutting of wood.
Historically, a saw with teeth designed to cut both across and with the wood grain, though not optimally for either. In modern usage, the term can refer to any general-purpose handsaw.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally archaic in both varieties. American woodworking texts may be slightly more likely to retain the historical term.
Connotations
Technical/historical with no pejorative connotation attached to 'bastard' in this context.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech. Primarily encountered in historical texts, older manuals, or among traditional craftspeople.
Grammar
How to Use “bastard-saw” in a Sentence
[Subject] used/cut with/sharpened a bastard-saw.The bastard-saw [verb e.g., cut, jammed, was].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bastard-saw” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- He kept a bastard-saw file for tool maintenance.
- The bastard-saw cut was rough but serviceable.
American English
- He found a bastard-saw blade in his grandfather's shop.
- The bastard-saw teeth needed setting.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used in historical or material culture studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary domain, though still archaic. May appear in discussions of traditional tool catalogs or restoration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bastard-saw”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bastard-saw”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bastard-saw”
- Using the term in modern contexts expecting it to be understood.
- Assuming the word 'bastard' in the compound is offensive or slang.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, in this historical technical compound, it is a neutral term meaning 'of irregular or intermediate kind', similar to 'bastard file' or 'bastard size'.
It is very unlikely. They would use more specific terms like 'hand saw', 'panel saw', 'crosscut saw', or 'ripsaw'.
It was designed as a single, general-purpose saw for a tradesperson to make both rip and crosscuts acceptably, though not perfectly.
No, it is solely a noun (compound noun). The related action would be 'to saw' or 'to cut with a bastard-saw'.
A type of saw with a coarse tooth pattern, intermediate in coarseness between a crosscut and a ripsaw, used for general-purpose cutting of wood.
Bastard-saw is usually technical, trade (carpentry, woodworking), historical in register.
Bastard-saw: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɑːs.təd ˌsɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbæs.tɚd ˌsɑː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As useful as a blunt bastard-saw (rare, non-standard).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: a 'bastard' file has medium coarseness; a 'bastard-saw' is a medium-coarse saw, not specialized for rip or crosscut.
Conceptual Metaphor
HYBRID/INTERMEDIATE IS ILLEGITIMATE (archaic technical sense).
Practice
Quiz
In the compound noun 'bastard-saw', the word 'bastard' primarily signifies: