Past tense of 'saw,' meaning to cut through material using a saw or similar tool with a toothed blade. Involves a back-and-forth cutting motion.
From Old English 'sagu' (saw, saying) and 'seagian' (to saw). The tool and action share Germanic roots, with the cutting implement dating to prehistoric times.
The phrase 'sawed-off shotgun' doesn't just describe a modified weapon—it reflects how sawing something short often implies making it more portable but less accurate, a trade-off seen in many tools!
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