curtail

¹ American  

[ker-teyl] / kərˈteɪl /

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms:

   dock , lessen

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curtail ² American  

[kur-teyl] / ˈkɜrˌteɪl /

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.

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curtail British  

/ kɜːˈteɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to cut short; abridge

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Related Words

See shorten.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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 curtail¹

Probably alteration, by folk etymology, of curtal

Example Sentences

A prominent Tunisian activist was arrested on Saturday as hundreds protested in the capital against the curtailing of freedoms, an AFP journalist and lawyers said.

From Barron's

The ex-president favored a much-criticized “hugs not bullets” strategy — curtailing offensive operations against cartels and instead addressing poverty and other socioeconomic factors driving young people to join organized crime.

From Los Angeles Times

England's session at Allan Border Field on Saturday morning was curtailed by rain.

From BBC

This means tracking deforestation and pollution that they, as well as their suppliers and subcontractors, cause, plus other issues like forced labour -- and taking steps to curtail them.

From Barron's

"Patients need to wake up clear-headed, alert and oriented, and ideally pain-free. With better pain management, the stress response is curtailed."

From BBC

Related Words

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