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crop
The primary image is one of selective removal to achieve a desired shape or yield. Whether it is harvesting plants from the earth or trimming pixels from a photo, there is an inherent sense of "cutting away" the excess. In agricultural contexts, it refers to both the plant species and the resulting volume of the harvest. It carries a neutral, industrial tone associated with farming and food security. When used metaphorically for people (e.g., "a crop of graduates"), it suggests a seasonal output or a batch produced by a system, often implying that they are products of a specific time period. As a verb, the nuance is precision. Unlike "cut," which can be random or destructive, "crop" implies a deliberate adjustment to improve focus or aesthetics, whether in photography or hairstyling.
Countable when referring to a specific variety of plant ('soybeans are a lucrative crop') or the riding whip used by jockeys. Uncountable when referring to the total mass of harvested produce ('the region produces a huge amount of crop').
💬Conversación Casual
Hey Brian, can you crop this photo for me? It's a bit off.
Google it. I'm not your personal assistant, Dave.
Meanings
A cultivated plant that is grown on a large scale for commercial use.
"The farmers are expecting a record corn crop this year."
A group of people or things that appear or are produced at the same time.
"This year's crop of graduates is particularly talented."
A short whip with a thick leather lash, used in horse riding.
"The jockey tapped the horse lightly with his crop."