Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Saw \Saw\, n. [OE. sawe, AS. sage; akin to D. zaag, G. s["a]ge,
   OHG. sega, saga, Dan. sav, Sw. s[*a]g, Icel. s["o]g, L.
   secare to cut, securis ax, secula sickle. Cf. {Scythe},
   {Sickle}, {Section}, {Sedge}.]
   An instrument for cutting or dividing substances, as wood,
   iron, etc., consisting of a thin blade, or plate, of steel,
   with a series of sharp teeth on the edge, which remove
   successive portions of the material by cutting and tearing.

   Note: Saw is frequently used adjectively, or as the first
         part of a compound.

   {Band saw}, {Crosscut saw}, etc. See under {Band},
      {Crosscut}, etc.

   {Circular saw}, a disk of steel with saw teeth upon its
      periphery, and revolved on an arbor.

   {Saw bench}, a bench or table with a flat top for for sawing,
      especially with a circular saw which projects above the
      table.

   {Saw file}, a three-cornered file, such as is used for
      sharpening saw teeth.

   {Saw frame}, the frame or sash in a sawmill, in which the
      saw, or gang of saws, is held.

   {Saw gate}, a saw frame.

   {Saw gin}, the form of cotton gin invented by Eli Whitney, in
      which the cotton fibers are drawn, by the teeth of a set
      of revolving circular saws, through a wire grating which
      is too fine for the seeds to pass.

   {Saw grass} (Bot.), any one of certain cyperaceous plants
      having the edges of the leaves set with minute sharp
      teeth, especially the {Cladium Mariscus} of Europe, and
      the {Cladium effusum} of the Southern United States. Cf.
      {Razor grass}, under {Razor}.

   {Saw log}, a log of suitable size for sawing into lumber.

   {Saw mandrel}, a mandrel on which a circular saw is fastened
      for running.

   {Saw pit}, a pit over which timbor is sawed by two men, one
      standing below the timber and the other above. --Mortimer.

   {Saw sharpener} (Zo["o]l.), the great titmouse; -- so named
      from its harsh call note. [Prov. Eng.]

   {Saw whetter} (Zo["o]l.), the marsh titmouse ({Parus
      palustris}); -- so named from its call note. [Prov. Eng.]



   7. A company of persons united in any common design,
      especially a body of armed men.

            Troops of horsemen with his bands of foot. --Shak.

   8. A number of musicians who play together upon portable
      musical instruments, especially those making a loud sound,
      as certain wind instruments (trumpets, clarinets, etc.),
      and drums, or cymbals.

   9. (Bot.) A space between elevated lines or ribs, as of the
      fruits of umbelliferous plants.

   10. (Zo["o]l.) A stripe, streak, or other mark transverse to
       the axis of the body.

   11. (Mech.) A belt or strap.

   12. A bond [Obs.] ``Thy oath and band.'' --Shak.

   13. Pledge; security. [Obs.] --Spenser.

   {Band saw}, a saw in the form of an endless steel belt, with
      teeth on one edge, running over wheels.