curtail

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 (see curtal) and Middle English taillen “to cut” (see taille, tailor¹)

synonym study for curtail

See shorten.

OTHER WORDS FROM curtail

cur·tailed·ly, adverbcur·tail·er, nouncur·tail·ment, nounnon·cur·tail·ing, adjective

un·cur·tailed, adjective

Other definitions for curtail (2 of 2)

curtail²

[ kur-teyl ]

/ ˈkɜrˌteɪl /

noun Architecture.

a horizontal, spiral termination to the lower end of a stair railing.

Also called curtail step . a starting step having a scroll termination to one or both ends of the tread.

Origin of curtail

Probably alteration, by folk etymology, of curtal

How to use curtail in a sentence

With amenities and lodging curtailed all over, we’ll all be spending a lot more time in muddy parking lots again, which have always been vital to the skiing experience.
How COVID-19 Could Actually Be Good for Skiing|Marc Peruzzi|November 20, 2020|Outside Online
It’s rumored that Spears’s access to the internet is heavily curtailed and that she is only allowed a flip phone.
Why Britney Spears’s fans are convinced she’s being held captive|Constance Grady|November 11, 2020|Vox
Xi Jinping’s government is increasingly curtailing the influence of private corporations that dominate its burgeoning internet, e-commerce and digital finance industries, pivoting away from its previously hands off approach.
China’s clampdown on Internet industry has cost tech giants $200 billion|Claire Zillman, reporter|November 11, 2020|Fortune
“First Principles” closes with some regrets about “the end of American classicism” and a set of practical lessons that, although laudable, seem disconnected from the rest of the book, such as curtailing campaign spending.
Noble virtues, bad history: How Greece and Rome influenced America’s founders|Charles King|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

Others complained that they had curtailed traffic stops and other proactive enforcement because they worried about internal reprimands.
Fairfax County police chief to step down in February|Justin Jouvenal|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
Was it a mistake to veto the bill that would have curtailed such furloughs?
Want President Hillary? Then Primary Her|Jeff Greenfield|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the open policy was then curtailed again when border controls tightened significantly following 9/11.
Ellis Island’s Doubled-Edged Legacy|J.P. O’Malley|May 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In March 2012, Time reported that Israel had curtailed much of its covert activities in Iran.
Inside Israel’s Frenemy Diplomacy With Turkey|Eli Lake|October 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Rumors spread from Foggy Bottom after the coup that arms shipments may be curtailed.
What’s Left of Obama’s Mideast Policy?|Marty Peretz|July 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Second, whatever Hacked Off and the politicians may say, some legitimate journalism will now be curtailed.
Phone Hacking: The Scandal that Changed Everything for the British Press|David Frum|March 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Commissioners made no proposal that outdoor relief to the aged or impotent (or infirm) should be abolished, or even curtailed.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
The days of Faith will be everlasting; but her power to act wickedly will be curtailed more and more.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
Curtal is a small horse; properly one who hath his tail docked or curtailed.
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 3|Various
Both had been seminary pupils prior to Mr. Carruths death, but expenses had to be curtailed at once.
Three Little Women|Gabrielle E. Jackson
Now, with the increase of the area of cultivation, the land in the Pampas which is available for grazing is greatly curtailed.
Argentina|W. A. Hirst

British Dictionary definitions for curtail

curtail

/ (kɜːˈteɪl) /

verb

(tr) to cut short; abridge

Derived forms of curtail

curtailer, nouncurtailment, noun

Word Origin for curtail

C16: changed (through influence of tail 1) from obsolete curtal to dock; see curtal

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

curtail

OTHER WORDS FOR curtail

Origin of curtail

synonym study for curtail

OTHER WORDS FROM curtail

Other definitions for curtail (2 of 2)

Origin of curtail

Words related to curtail

How to use curtail in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for curtail

Derived forms of curtail

Word Origin for curtail