Definition

Noun: * A hand tool for cutting wire: A wire cutter is a specialized tool designed to cleanly and efficiently cut through metal wire or cable. It typically has two sharp, hardened steel blades that pivot together, applying strong leverage to shear the wire.

Usage

• As a tool: The term is used to refer to the physical tool itself.
  • Always use proper safety glasses when operating a wire cutter.
  • The electrician reached for his wire cutter to trim the excess cable.
• Specifying type: Often modified to indicate the specific design or material it can cut (e.g., diagonal wire cutter, heavy-duty wire cutter, bolt cutter).
  • For jewelry making, you need a pair of precision wire cutters.

Advanced Usage

• "A pair of wire cutters": The tool is commonly referred to in the plural form, similar to "scissors" or "pliers," even though it is a single object.
  • Can you hand me that pair of wire cutters?

Variants and Related Words

• Diagonal cutter(s) / Dikes (slang): A common type of wire cutter where the cutting blades are set at an angle to the handles, useful for cutting in tight spaces.
• Bolt cutter: A large, two-handed version of a wire cutter designed for cutting thick metal rods, chains, or heavy-duty wire.
• Wire stripper: A related tool that removes the insulating sheath from electrical wire but does not cut the metal core. Some tools combine cutting and stripping functions.

Synonyms

• Cable cutter
• Snips (can refer to general-purpose cutting tools, some of which are suitable for wire)

Related Phrases

• To cut wire: The action performed with the tool.
  • You will need to cut the wire to the correct length.

Noun

1. an edge tool used in cutting wire