cutter

Cutter is a term with several distinct meanings in different domains, all rooted in the idea of cutting or separating. It can refer to a device or tool used to cut material, to a person or instrument that performs cutting, or to a type of vessel used in maritime contexts.

In tools and machinery, a cutter is the cutting component or the tool itself. Examples include a box cutter or utility knife for general cutting, a glass cutter for scoring glass, wire cutters and bolt cutters for severing materials, and tile cutters for breaking ceramic tiles. In machining, cutting tools such as milling cutters and lathe cutters remove material from workpieces. Paper and pastry contexts also use the term, as in paper cutters (guillotines), cookie cutters, and pizza cutters.

Cutter also denotes a small, fast sailing vessel traditionally used for coastal patrols, customs enforcement, and search-and-rescue missions. Historically employed by navies and revenue services, cutters were designed for speed, maneuverability, and endurance near shorelines. In modern times, the term persists in reference to contemporary patrol craft, which may be motorized or sail-powered and employ similar roles.

The word also appears in personal and place names, and in figurative phrases such as cookie cutter. While the primary senses emphasize cutting devices and maritime craft, the term's usage spans multiple disciplines and historical periods.