Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A saw working in a pit, as a large saw used for cutting timber, operated by two men, one of whom (called the pit-sawyer) stands in the pit below the log that is being sawed, and the other (called the top-sawyer) on the log.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Of this material are manufactured knives, swords, and all kinds of cutting instruments and edge tools, used for domestic purposes and in the arts, from the ponderous pit-saw to the finest lancet.
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I caused them to be supplied from the public stores with a union-jack for display on the arrival of ships, and a pit-saw, of which they were greatly in need.
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A harsh and regular sound came from a distance, resembling that made by a pit-saw steadily grinding its way lengthwise through a log of soft pine wood.
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I caused them to be supplied from the public stores with a Union jack: for display on the arrival of ships, and a pit-saw, of which they were greatly in need.
Alonzo Fitz and Other Stories Mark Twain 1872
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At the end of a week a rough, strong, habitable home was made, door, window, shutter and bars included, two of their helpers having come provided with a pit-saw for cutting the bigger pine-trunks up into rough boards, which were to be paid for out of the first gold winnings the young men made.
To Win or to Die A Tale of the Klondike Gold Craze George Manville Fenn 1870
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Another piece of work that Lumley gave me to superintend at this time was the construction of a water-wheel and dam to drive our pit-saw.
The Big Otter 1859
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Soon a pit-saw which we had brought with us was set to work, and planks began to multiply.
The Big Otter 1859
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The advent of the English missionaries, however, in the early part of this century, introduced light in regard to the things of time as well as those of eternity-among other things, the pit-saw, which has taught the natives to "gather up the fragments so that nothing be lost."
The Fugitives The Tyrant Queen of Madagascar Francis B. Pearson 1859
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"I can't say that I have," answered the interpreter, with a matter-of-fact frown at the ground, "but I have noticed that the pit-saw they was usin 'yesterday has been allowed to saw into the holdin'-irons and damaged half o' --"
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"Hoots, man! never mind the pit-saw!" exclaimed MacSweenie, with a touch of asperity.
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