whipsaw

3 definitions found

whipsaw - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Whipsaw \Whip"saw`\, n.
     1. A saw for dividing timber lengthwise, usually set in a
        frame, and worked by two persons; also, a fret saw.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A kind of narrow ripsaw, tapering from butt to point, with
        hook teeth and averaging from 5 to 71/2 feet in length,
        used by one or two men.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

  Whipsaw \Whip"saw`\, v. t.
     1. To saw with the whipsaw.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     2. To defeat in, or cause to lose, two different bets at the
        same turn or in one play, as a player at faro who has made
        two bets at the same time, one that a card will lose and
        another that a different card will win; hence, to defeat
        in spite of every effort.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     3. to cause to suffer a setback or losses by subjecting to
        two forces at the same time or in rapid succession; as,
        consumers were whipsawed by both inflation and higher
        sales taxes.
        [PJC]
  
     4. (Finance) to cause to suffer a series of losses in trading
        when buying and selling at the wrong times in a rapidly
        fluctuating market; -- especially used when an attempt is
        made, by selling short, to recover losses from a long
        purchase in a declining market, and the short sale also
        results in a loss when the market subsequently rises. Used
        mostly in the passive; as, to be whipsawed by exaggerated
        responses to a changing outlook.
        [PJC]

whipsaw - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  whipsaw
      n 1: a saw with handles at both ends; intended for use by two
           people [syn: two-handed saw, whipsaw, two-man saw,
           lumberman's saw]
      v 1: victimize, especially in gambling or negotiations
      2: saw with a whipsaw