ciseaux: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “ciseaux” mean?
A cutting tool consisting of two blades pivoted together, used for cutting paper, cloth, hair, etc.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cutting tool consisting of two blades pivoted together, used for cutting paper, cloth, hair, etc.
A gymnastic or skating movement resembling the opening and closing of scissors; a type of hold in wrestling; a statistical term for a pattern in data visualization.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use 'scissors' for the tool. Minor spelling preference: 'scissor kick' (more common in US) vs 'scissors kick' (sometimes seen in UK).
Connotations
Neutral in both. In medical/surgical contexts, both use 'surgical scissors'.
Frequency
Equally common in everyday and professional contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “ciseaux” in a Sentence
use scissors to + INFcut with scissorsa pair of scissors + V-pluralVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ciseaux” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defender scissored the ball away from the attacker.
- She scissored the ribbon neatly.
American English
- He scissor-kicked the ball into the net.
- The gymnast scissored her legs during the routine.
adjective
British English
- The scissor mechanism was jammed.
- It was a perfect scissor cut.
American English
- The scissor lift raised the workers.
- She performed a scissor jump.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Office supplies; 'Please order more scissors for the stationery cupboard.'
Academic
Art, design, surgery; 'The study compared laparoscopic scissors with traditional instruments.'
Everyday
Household tasks, crafts; 'Can you pass me the scissors to open this package?'
Technical
Surgical instruments, textile manufacturing; 'The pinking shears are a type of scissors that cut a zigzag edge.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ciseaux”
- Using a singular verb (e.g., 'The scissors is...').
- Using 'scissor' as a singular count noun.
- Misspelling as 'scisors' or 'sissors'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always plural in form and takes a plural verb (e.g., 'The scissors are...'). To refer to one item, say 'a pair of scissors'.
No, in standard English, 'scissor' is not used as a singular countable noun for the cutting tool. Use 'a pair of scissors' or 'some scissors'.
Generally, 'shears' are larger, heavier scissors used for cutting metal, pruning plants, or cutting fabric in bulk. 'Scissors' are typically smaller and for general use.
It derives from a Latin plural noun 'cisoria' (cutting instrument) and refers to a tool made of two joined blades, hence the plural form.
A cutting tool consisting of two blades pivoted together, used for cutting paper, cloth, hair, etc.
Ciseaux is usually neutral in register.
Ciseaux: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɪzəz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɪzɚz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Running with scissors”
- “Scissors, paper, stone”
- “Scissors cut”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CISSY (sounds like 'sciss-') who is always SORE (sounds like '-sors') because she cuts herself with SCISSORS.
Conceptual Metaphor
TOOLS ARE LIMBS (e.g., 'the scissors bit into the fabric'); CONFLICT IS CUTTING (e.g., 'scissoring disagreement').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is grammatically correct?