O.E. siše, sigši, from P.Gmc. *segithoz (cf. M.L.G. segede, M.Du. sichte, O.H.G. segensa, Ger. Sense), from PIE base *sek- "cut" (see section). The sc- spelling crept in early 15c., from influence of L. scissor "carver, cutter" and scindere "to cut." The verb is from 1597.
