jigsaw
jigsaw Lexical Profile
jigsaw Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A puzzle consisting of a picture printed on a flat surface, which is then cut into numerous interlocking pieces that must be reassembled.
"We spent the entire rainy afternoon completing a thousand-piece jigsaw."
A machine saw with a fine, vertically reciprocating blade used to cut intricate curves or irregular shapes in materials such as wood, metal, or plastic.
"He used a jigsaw to cut the delicate scrollwork for the new wooden cabinet."
A complex situation or problem comprising many distinct parts that must be pieced together to be understood or resolved.
"The detective realized that the newly discovered bank records were the missing piece of the jigsaw."
• verb
To cut, shape, or form a material using a machine saw equipped with a reciprocating blade.
"She carefully jigsawed the plywood into the shape of a crescent moon."
To fit or arrange multiple disparate parts together in an interlocking or precise manner.
"The researchers jigsawed the fragmented historical records together to reconstruct a timeline of the ancient city."
Word Origin & Etymology
Mid 19th century: formed as a compound from 'jig' (referring to the rapid up-and-down motion of the blade) and 'saw'. The sense 'jigsaw puzzle' emerged in the late 19th century, as these puzzles were originally cut from wood using a jigsaw.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.