When used in a nautical sense, a cutter is:a small single-masted vessel, fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails, a bowsprit, and a mast set further back than in a sloopa ship's boat, powered by oars, sails or motor, used to carry passengers or light storesa small or medium sized armed vessel used by various marine or naval services such as the U.S. Coast Guard.
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