Cutting, a.
1. Adapted to cut; as, a cutting tool.
2. Chilling; penetratinn; sharp; as, a cutting wind.
3. Severe; sarcastic; biting; as, a cutting reply.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Cutting (kttng), n.
1. The act or process of making an incision, or of severing, felling, shaping, etc.
2. Something cut, cut off, or cut out, as a twig or
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for cutting; he lists it under bitter.
Where he writes about it:
We say a sour face, sharp words, bitter complaints, caustic wit, cutting irony, biting sarcasm, a stinging taunt, harsh judgment, a tart reply. — from bitter
Tart and sharp utterances may not proceed from an intention to wound, but merely from a wit recklessly keen; cutting, stinging, and biting speech indicates more or less of hostile intent, the latter being the more deeply malicious. — from bitter