cuts
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cuts, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Corporal punishment given at school, historically by striking with a cane or strap.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Frequently asked questions
What does “cuts” mean?
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.".
How do you pronounce “cuts”?
“Cuts” is pronounced kuhts (/kʌts/ in IPA).
How do you use “cuts” in a sentence?
Here is “cuts” used in a sentence: “In the old days, pupils could be given cuts for talking back to a teacher.”
What part of speech is “cuts”?
“Cuts” is a noun.
Is “cuts” a common word?
“Cuts” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does getting "cuts" mean at school?
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.
Are "cuts" still given in schools?
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.
Why was it called "cuts"?
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.