quartersawn
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: //ˈkwɔːrtərsɔːn//
KK: /ˈkwɔrtərˌsɔn/
adjective
Definition
Describing wood that has been cut in a way that the growth rings are at a right angle to the surface, which helps to reduce warping and improve stability.
Example
The furniture was made from quartersawn oak, known for its durability and beautiful grain patterns.
Conversation
I just got some new wood for my project, and it’s quartersawn.
Oh nice! I’ve heard that kind of wood is really strong.
Yeah, it’s great for making furniture because it resists warping.
That sounds perfect! I can’t wait to see what you create.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
flat-sawn
straight-grained
quarter-sawn
Antonyms
irregular
curved
rough
verb
Definition
To cut wood into quarters, which helps to reduce warping and improve stability.
Example
The carpenter decided to quartersawn the oak to enhance its durability.
Tense Forms
Past: quartersawed
Past Participle: quartersawn
Conversation
I just learned about how wood can be quartersawn for better durability.
Oh really? I've never heard that term before.
Yeah, it's supposed to make the grain look nicer too when it's quartersawn.
Root Explanation
Quartersawn is formed from "quarter" (from Old French *quart*, meaning one-fourth) and "sawn" (the past participle of "saw", meaning to cut). The term refers to a method of cutting wood into quarters before sawing, which enhances the grain pattern and stability of the wood.
Memory Tip
Think of cutting wood into 'quarters' — that's why 'quartersawn' describes a specific way of cutting wood.
Visually Confused Words
No commonly confused words.