to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.
to remove (an outer coating, layer, or part) by cutting (often followed by off oraway ).
to reduce or remove by or as by cutting; diminish or decrease gradually (often followed bydown ).
to pare down one's expenses.
to peel or cut (the outer layer) from (something)
to cut the edges from (the nails); trim
to decrease bit by bit
See peel 1.
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English paren, from Middle French parer, “to make ready, trim” from Latin parāre ”to prepare, make ready“; see origin at prepare
To pare is to trim — like when you pare branches on a tree or pare down your expenses to save money. Pare comes from the Latin word parare, meaning "to prepare." Think of peeling potatoes, which you might do with a paring knife, or paring your nails so you'll make a neat appearance. In each case, you are trimming something gradually. If you pare down your expectations, you might be pleasantly surprised.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Quand l'heure arriver, compère Chevreuil aveccompair Torti tou lé dé paré.
From Nights With Uncle Remus Myths and Legends of the Old Plantation by Harris, Joel Chandler
On dirait un théâtre éternel, toujours prêt pour les joies pacifiques, toujours paré pour les fêtes, et qui, depuis dix-huit siècles, attend ses acteurs qui ont disparu.”
From Rambles and Studies in Greece by Mahaffy, J. P.
He frequently gave entertainments at the former to the foreign legations, and one season even attended a bal paré at the British Embassy, and a bal en ordinaire at the French.
From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862 Devoted to Literature and National Policy by Various
“Here they are going to give a masquerade, a bal paré, private theatricals, I think, and what not,” handing him the card.
From St. Ronan's Well by Scott, Walter, Sir
She had been invited to a bal paré at the Spanish ambassador's for the ensuing night—but she had more inclination to go to a bal masqué, as Ormond had heard her declare.
From Tales and Novels — Volume 09 by Edgeworth, Maria
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
