Kerf
/kɜːrf/noun
The narrow groove or slit made by a cutting tool, especially a saw.
Did you know?The ancient root behind “kerf” is also linked to Greek graphein, “to scratch or write,” meaning the history of cutting and writing may share the same linguistic ancestor.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gerbh-
“To scratch, carve, or mark by cutting”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*kerbaną
“To cut or carve”
Old English
Old English
cyrf
“A cutting or carved slice”
Middle English
Middle English
kerf
“A cut, incision, or notch”
Modern English
English
kerf
“The groove or slit produced by a saw or other cutting tool”