cuts

The word “cuts” means corporal punishment given at school, historically by striking with a cane or strap. In plain terms, an old British term for caning or strapping as school punishment; also simply the plural of "cut.".

“Cuts” is pronounced kuhts (/kʌts/ in IPA).

Here is “cuts” used in a sentence: “In the old days, pupils could be given cuts for talking back to a teacher.”

“Cuts” is a noun.

“Cuts” is a fairly common word in modern English.

It refers to receiving corporal punishment — being struck across the hand or backside with a cane or leather strap. Each stroke counted as one "cut," so "six cuts" meant six strikes. Once a routine school discipline in several countries, the term is now historical in most places.

In most countries, no. Corporal punishment in schools has been banned across the UK, much of Europe, and many other nations, though it still occurs in some regions. Where it has been outlawed, "cuts" survives only as a historical or regional expression for the old practice.

Because each stroke of the cane or strap landed as a sharp, cutting blow that stung and often left a mark. A pupil might be sentenced to a set number of "cuts," with each one counting as a single strike delivered by the teacher.