preseći

1. to cut; to cut through
   Presekla je konopac makazama. — She cut the rope with scissors.
   Gradonačelnik je presekao vrpcu na otvaranju mosta. — The mayor cut the ribbon at the bridge opening.
2. (of speech, a conversation) to cut off; to interrupt
   Presekao me je usred rečenice. — He cut me off mid-sentence.
   Majka je presekla raspravu jednom rečju. — Mum put an end to the argument with one word.
3. (of a route, supply) to cut off; to block
   Policija im je presekla put za bekstvo. — The police cut off their escape route.
   Oluja je presekla dovod struje u celom selu. — The storm cut off the power to the whole village.
4. (preko + gen.) to take a shortcut
   Presekli smo preko parka da stignemo brže. — We cut across the park to get there faster.
5. colloq. (impersonal, of pain, fear) to shoot through with pain; to seize with fear
   Preseklo me je u leđima kad sam podigao kutiju. — I felt a sharp pain in my back when I lifted the box.
6. colloq. (of a decision, hesitation) to make up one's mind; to take the plunge
   Dosta je bilo razmišljanja, moraš jednom da presečeš. — Enough thinking, you have to make up your mind at some point.
   Presekao je i dao otkaz. — He took the plunge and quit his job.

The imperfective counterpart is presecati.