Cutter, a ruffian, a cut-purse. Of Robin Hood it was said—
“So being outlaw’d (as ’tis told),
He with a crew went forth
Of lusty CUTTERS, bold and strong,
And robbed in the north.”
Cutter, a swashbuckler—balaffreux taillebras, fendeur de naseaux.—Cotgrave.
“He’s out of cash, and thou know’st by CUTTER’S LAW,
We are bound to relieve one another.”
This ancient cant word now survives in the phrase, “to swear like a CUTTER.”
Cutting-shop, a place where cheap rough goods are sold.
Cutty-pipe, a short clay pipe. Scotch, CUTTY, short.
Cutty-sark, a short chemise.—Scotch. A scantily-draped lady is so called by Burns.
“‘Weel done, CUTTY-SARK!’
And in an instant all was dark.”
Dab, or DABSTER, an expert person. Most probably derived from the Latin adeptus.