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cisaille

shears

noun see-ZAY Rare

Origin: From Old French cisaille, from ciseau (chisel/scissors), from Latin caesus.

Usage Note

Cisaille (often plural: cisailles) refers to heavy-duty shears used for cutting metal, hedges, or thick sheet material - heavier than ordinary ciseaux (scissors). The plural cisailles is more common than the singular. Related: ciseau (chisel or scissors blade), ciseler (to chisel or engrave).

Examples

"Il coupe le grillage avec des cisailles."

Natural Translation

He cuts the wire mesh with shears.

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