Curtail
[kɜː'teɪl] or [kɚ'tel]
Definition
(v. t.) To cut off the end or tail, or any part, of; to shorten; to abridge; to diminish; to reduce.
(n.) The scroll termination of any architectural member, as of a step, etc.
Checker: Rudolph
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1]. Shorten, abridge, retrench, lop, cut short.[2]. Diminish, lessen, decrease.
Inputed by Joe
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See ABBREVIATE]
Edited by Glenn
Definition
v.t. to cut short: to cut off a part: to abridge:—pr.p. curtail′ing; pa.p. curtailed′.—ns. Curtail′ment; Curtail′-step the rounded step at the bottom of a stair.
Typist: Moira
Examples
- I fear I shall have to curtail his restorative exercise in the fresh air. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- I have a tale to relate, he said, and much explanation to give concerning the past; perhaps you can assist me to curtail it. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
- Sir, I do not wish to act against you, I said; and my unsteady voice warned me to curtail my sentence. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- There is naturally much intercommunication, which would be greatly curtailed by a system having the capacity of only a single message at a time. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The effects of purifying cold were immediately felt; and the lists of mortality abroad were curtailed each week. Mary Shelley. The Last Man.
Editor: Rochelle