saw-buck

A carpenter uses a saw-buck to hold a piece of wood steady.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A sawhorse: A "saw-buck" is a frame or stand used to support wood while it is being cut with a saw. It typically has two crosspieces shaped like an "X" at each end, forming a stable support.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • He placed the log on the saw-buck before cutting it into firewood. (He used the stand to hold the wood steady for sawing.)
  • The carpenter built a sturdy saw-buck from scrap lumber. (He constructed a support frame for cutting wood.)

Advanced Usage

• "saw-buck" as a slang term for $10: In informal American English, "saw-buck" can also refer to a ten-dollar bill. This usage derives from the Roman numeral X (10) resembling the shape of a saw-buck.
  • He lent me a saw-buck to buy lunch. (He gave me $10.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sawhorse (n): a synonym for "saw-buck," commonly used in woodworking.
  • The sawhorse is an essential tool for any DIY project. (The support frame is necessary for cutting materials.)

Synonyms

• Sawhorse: a frame for supporting wood while sawing.
• Support stand: a general term for any device that holds material in place.

Related Idioms

• "Bucking the saw": an idiomatic expression related to using a saw-buck, meaning to resist or oppose a process (rarely used today).
  • He was bucking the saw by refusing to follow the cutting pattern. (He was resisting the established method.)