resaw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Rare, Technical)Specialized/Technical (woodworking, carpentry, sawmill industry)
Quick answer
What does “resaw” mean?
to saw something again or cut it into thinner pieces, especially using a bandsaw.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to saw something again or cut it into thinner pieces, especially using a bandsaw.
A past tense form of 'resaw'. The act of re-cutting lumber (e.g., planks, boards) to produce thinner boards or veneers from thicker stock.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, tied directly to the technical woodworking context. Spelling of derived terms may follow regional patterns (e.g., 'resawing' vs. 'resawing'—no difference).
Connotations
Purely technical, no emotional or cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but equally known within the professional woodworking communities of both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “resaw” in a Sentence
[Subject] resaws [Object] (into [Result])[Subject] resawed [Object] (for [Purpose])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resaw” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The carpenter will resaw the oak plank into two bookmatched halves for the cabinet door.
- We resawed all the timber on the new bandsaw to maximise yield.
American English
- You need to resaw that thick maple on the vertical bandsaw to get thinner stock.
- They resawed the entire shipment of logs for the flooring company.
adverb
British English
- [Not used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Virtually unused as an adjective]
American English
- [Virtually unused as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the lumber/timber trade and manufacturing sectors dealing with wood products.
Academic
Found in texts on forestry, wood technology, or industrial manufacturing processes.
Everyday
Virtually never used outside of specific woodworking hobbies or professions.
Technical
Core term in sawmill operations, carpentry, and fine woodworking for dimensioning stock.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resaw”
- Using 'resawed' as the only past form (standard) vs. rare 'resawn'. Confusing it with 're-saw' (hyphenated) which is less common. Using it intransitively (*The wood resawed*).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized term used almost exclusively in woodworking, carpentry, and the timber industry.
The standard past tense is 'resawed'. 'Resawn' is occasionally seen but is much less common.
'Saw' is the initial cutting of wood (e.g., from a log). 'Resaw' is the subsequent cutting of an already sawn piece (like a plank) into thinner pieces.
Extremely rarely. In professional jargon, it might refer to a saw designed for resawing (e.g., a 'resaw blade'), but the verb form is dominant.
to saw something again or cut it into thinner pieces, especially using a bandsaw.
Resaw is usually specialized/technical (woodworking, carpentry, sawmill industry) in register.
Resaw: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈsɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈsɔː/ (also /ˌriːˈsɑː/ in some regions). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-SAWed' – you SAW it once, then you SAW it again (RE-).
Conceptual Metaphor
Refinement (taking a raw or rough form and making it more precise and usable).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the verb 'to resaw'?