Cut initially announced by English (3)
I believe the answer is:
axe
'cut' is the definition.
(both can mean to cancel or remove)
'initially announced by english' is the wordplay.
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
'by' becomes 'x' (2 by 4 is 2 x 4).
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
The initial letter of 'announced' is 'a'.
'a'+'x'+'e'='AXE'
(Other definitions for axe that I've seen before include "Chopping tool; dismiss" , "Terminate; chopper" , "Terminate - with a hatchet?" , "Make redundant" , "Do away with" .)