Alpha stage software — under active development. Data may be incomplete or change without notice.
Thesaurus
Derived forms
probe-scissorsrock-paper-scissorsscissorscissors-and-pastescissors-glassesscissors-tailedscissorsbillscissorstail
From Middle English sisours (attested since 1350–1400), from Old French cisoirs, from Late Latin cīsōria, plural of cīsōrium (“cutting tool”); from Latin word root -cīsus (compare excise) or caesus, past participle of caedō (“to cut”). Partially displaced native Old English sċēara (“scissors, shears”), whence shears. Doublet of chisel.
The current spelling, from the 16th century, is due to association with Medieval Latin scissor (“tailor”), from Latin carrying the meaning “carver, cutter”, from scindō (“to split”).
View etymology graph ->
General
Open this dialog?
Close dialogEsc
Open search⌘K
Press ? anytime to toggle this dialog