sectile
Definition
- Adjective:
- Capable of being cut: "sectile" describes a material or substance that can be cut smoothly or easily with a knife or sharp tool, without breaking or shattering.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Soapstone is a sectile mineral, often used for carving. (The material can be cut easily into shapes.)
- The sectile nature of the clay made it ideal for sculpting. (The clay could be cut without crumbling.)
Advanced Usage
"Sectile mineral": a mineral that can be cut into thin slices or shapes with a blade, such as gypsum or talc.
- Geologists classify talc as a sectile mineral due to its softness. (It can be cut easily with a knife.)
"Sectile material": any substance that yields to cutting rather than breaking.
- The sectile properties of the metal allowed for precise engraving. (The metal could be cut cleanly.)
Variants and Related Words
Sectility (noun): the quality or property of being sectile.
- The sectility of the stone made it suitable for jewelry. (Its ability to be cut easily was useful.)
Sect (noun, rare): a cut or division; not commonly used in modern English.
Synonyms
Cuttable: able to be cut.
- This wood is highly cuttable with a sharp saw. (It can be cut easily.)
Malleable: capable of being shaped by hammering or pressing (often used for metals), but not identical to "sectile".
- Gold is malleable and can be beaten into thin sheets. (It can be shaped, but not necessarily cut.)
Related Idioms
- "Cut to the chase": to get to the point, not directly related to "sectile" but sharing the concept of cutting.
- Let's cut to the chase and discuss the main issue. (Skip unnecessary details.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Cut up: to divide into pieces by cutting.
- The chef cut up the vegetables for the salad. (He sliced them into smaller parts.)