curtail

¹

[ ker-teyl ]

verb (used with object)

1. to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish.

   Synonyms: dock, lessen

curtail

²

[ kur-teyl ]

noun

, Architecture.

1. a horizontal, spiral termination to the lower end of a stair railing.
2. Also called curtail step. a starting step having a scroll termination to one or both ends of the tread.

curtail

/ kɜːˈteɪl /

verb

1. tr to cut short; abridge

Derived Forms

• curˈtailer, noun
• curˈtailment, noun

Other Words From

• cur·tailed·ly adverb
• cur·tail·er noun
• cur·tail·ment noun
• non·cur·tail·ing adjective
• un·cur·tailed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtail¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English curtailen “to restrict” (said of royal succession or inheritance), probably a conflation of Middle French courtau(l)d ( curtal ) and Middle English taillen “to cut” ( taille, tailor ¹ )

Origin of curtail²

Probably alteration, by folk etymology, of curtal

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtail¹

C16: changed (through influence of tail ¹) from obsolete curtal to dock; see curtal

Synonym Study

See shorten.

Example Sentences

Rail at the bigots in Washington on TV seeking to curtail equality?

From The Daily Beast

With the World Cup fast approaching, Brazil is attempting to curtail its controversial soccer fan clubs.

From The Daily Beast

But it is also time to curtail the demand for ivory in Asia.

From The Daily Beast

The promises of benefit are false, and government action to curtail this kind of fraud is long overdue.

From The Daily Beast

Bill de Blasio successfully campaigned for mayor on the promise to curtail it.

From The Daily Beast

Thereafter severe repressive measures were taken to curtail its power.

From Project Gutenberg

The narrator dwelt on the flirtation lovingly, and at great length, but here we are obliged to curtail it.

From Project Gutenberg

The lords accepted the colonists' petition, and gave forth that they did not intend to curtail their liberties.

From Project Gutenberg

The nobles and the clergy adhered tenaciously to their privileges, and the Court would curtail none of its unnecessary expenses.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence anything which will curtail our sufferings and add to our pleasures or our powers, should be sought as the highest good.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cut back
• decrease
• diminish
• downsize
• halt
• lessen
• reduce
• shorten
• slash
• trim