Definition of "cutlet" [cut•let]

• A thin slice of meat, usually veal or lamb, cut from the leg or ribs. (noun)
• A patty of chopped meat or fish, usually coated with bread crumbs and fried; a flat croquette. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "The History The "katsu" in tonkatsu is short for the Japanese rendering of "cutlet" -- katsuretto"
• "A cutlet is a breast half (or thigh) that is both skinless and boneless and sometimes has been pounded to flatten."
• "In the earlier part of the 'merry monarch's' reign, the eating-house most popular with young barristers and law-students was kept by a French cook named Chattelin, who, besides entertaining his customers with delicate fare and choice wine, enriched our language with the word 'cutlet' -- in his day spelt costelet."