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

---

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.

---

curtail British  

/ kɜːˈteɪl /

verb

1. (tr) to cut short; abridge

---

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 curtail²

Probably alteration, by folk etymology, of curtal

Example Sentences

Bank trade associations have said such offerings could drain deposits from depository institutions, which often pay little interest, and curtail lending.

From Barron's

Treasury Wine Estates said in December it would curtail future shipments to China.

From The Wall Street Journal

No oil has arrived since January 9, hitting the power sector while public transport has dwindled and airlines curtailed flights to the island, a blow to the all-important tourism sector.

From Barron's

That damage argues against a rate increase by curtailing any second-round effects on prices and wages.

From The Wall Street Journal

Another big risk to demand comes from industrial users curtailing consumption and from the broad economic contraction that can accompany oil shocks, according to Wood Mackenzie.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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