whittling

[hwit-ling, wit-]

noun

1. the act of a person who whittles.

2. Often whittlings. a bit or chip whittled off.

Word History and Origins

Origin of whittling¹

First recorded in 1605–15; whittle + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

What that does is test the creativity of Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman to devise ways to fortify the line and protect Herbert without whittling away too many offensive options.

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Billed as a fundraiser, the debt-ridden centre said the money from the portfolios would go towards whittling down a long list of overdue bills, including unpaid wages for educators.

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Seated alone at the defence table and dressed in a grey jacket and red-striped tie, Routh joined the process of whittling down 180 local residents to 12 jurors and four alternates.

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Doing so would fast-track the bills into law without the normal whittling down that happens in committee hearings.

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In each case, he wrote and recorded some 50 songs before whittling down his track lists considerably.

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