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

Other Word Forms

• curtailedly adverb
• curtailer noun
• curtailment noun
• noncurtailing adjective
• uncurtailed 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

Brits was a world champion javelin thrower in her youth before a road accident curtailed that career.

From BBC

"A lot of these comedians have been huge defenders of free speech, and to go and perform in Saudi Arabia, where free speech is so heavily curtailed, is extraordinary. It's morally repugnant."

From BBC

The American public as a whole will also start feeling the bite through curtailed government services and economic disruption.

From BBC

That means that services like the food assistance programme, federally-funded pre-school, the issuing of student loans, food inspections, and operations at national parks are expected to be curtailed or closed.

From BBC

A reeling New Zealand had occasional openings, but Alana Bremner spilled the ball to curtail one promising attack, while Canada's ground game proved too strong on another.

From BBC

Related Words

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