pare

[ pair ]
See synonyms for pare on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),pared, par·ing.
  1. to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.

  2. to remove (an outer coating, layer, or part) by cutting (often followed by off or away).

  1. to reduce or remove by or as by cutting; diminish or decrease gradually (often followed by down): to pare down one's expenses.

Origin of pare

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English paren, from Middle French parer, “to make ready, trim” from Latin parāre ”to prepare, make ready“; see origin at prepare

synonym study For pare

1. See peel1.

Other words for pare

Opposites for pare

Other words from pare

  • pare·a·ble, adjective
  • un·pared, adjective

Words that may be confused with pare

Other definitions for Paré (2 of 2)

Paré
[ pa-rey ]

noun
  1. Am·broise [ahn-brwaz], /ɑ̃ˈbrwaz/, 1510–90, French surgeon.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use pare in a sentence

  • Veterans of the winter, at rest behind the lines, sat in the sun and pared potatoes for the midday meal.

    The Amazing Interlude | Mary Roberts Rinehart
  • And in that second little interview—about nothing, in truth—a mere piece of audacity—the lion's claws had been a good deal pared.

    Marriage la mode | Mrs. Humphry Ward
  • He handed the pamphlet to Felix, and while that gentleman cast his eye over it the prince pared his nails carefully.

    Black Diamonds | Mr Jkai
  • Put in nine or ten well-washed raw truffles pared very thin and cut into slices about the size of a florin.

    Dressed Game and Poultry la Mode | Harriet A. de Salis
  • After an apple was pared in one continuous strip, the paring was tossed three times round the head, and then thrown to the floor.

    Marjorie's Busy Days | Carolyn Wells

British Dictionary definitions for pare (1 of 2)

pare

/ (pɛə) /


verb(tr)
  1. to peel or cut (the outer layer) from (something)

  2. to cut the edges from (the nails); trim

  1. to decrease bit by bit

Origin of pare

1
C13: from Old French parer to adorn, from Latin parāre to make ready

Derived forms of pare

  • parer, noun

British Dictionary definitions for Paré (2 of 2)

Paré

/ (French pare) /


noun
  1. Ambroise (ɑ̃brwaz). 1510–90, French surgeon. He reintroduced ligature of arteries following amputation instead of cauterization

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012