truncated

American  

[truhng-key-tid] / ˈtrʌŋ keɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. shortened by or as if by having a part cut off; cut short.

   an unnecessarily truncated essay.

2. (of a geometric figure or solid) having the apex, vertex, or end cut off by a plane.

   a truncated cone or pyramid.

3. Crystallography. (of a crystal) having corners, angles, or edges cut off or replaced by a single plane.

4. Biology. truncate.

5. Prosody. (of a line of verse) lacking at the beginning or end one or more unstressed syllables needed to fill out the metrical pattern.

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truncated British  

/ trʌŋˈkeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. maths (of a cone, pyramid, prism, etc) having an apex or end removed by a plane intersection that is usually nonparallel to the base

2. (of a crystal) having edges or corners cut off

3. shortened by or as if by cutting off; truncate

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Usage

What does truncated mean? Truncated means shortened, as if having had a portion cut off.The verb truncate means to shorten something in this way.As an adjective, truncated can be used in several specialized ways, all of which describe things that have been shortened or seem like they’ve been shortened or cut off.In geometry, it’s used to describe a shape that has had one of its parts or corners cut off. In crystallography, it’s used to describe a crystal whose corners, angles, or edges are cut off. In biology, it’s used to describe a part of an organism, such as the leaf of a plant, that looks like it has been cut off at the tip. In poetry, it’s used to describe a line that has fewer syllables that the meter (the rhythm of the line) suggests it should.Still, truncated is most commonly used in a general way. A more common and less formal synonym is shortened.Example: Most people have only ever seen the truncated version of the film, but they’re planning to release the full version soon.

Other Word Forms

• subtruncated adjective

Etymology

Origin of truncated

First recorded in 1480–90; truncate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Filling some of the sedan void is a new wave of entry-level vehicles that, like GM’s Trax, are built on the frame of a compact car but feature the higher ride and a truncated liftgate.

From The Wall Street Journal

This whole thing, some might say, truncated my career; maybe in one aspect, but it made it more dynamic in other aspects and more laden with possibility.

From Los Angeles Times

At the very start of primary school, his education was truncated by his father's death.

From BBC

Still, truncated as this history may be, these galleries highlight a strength other museums lack—and are racing to catch up with.

From The Wall Street Journal

And because, “as has been frequently noted,” the investigation had been “truncated” to three months, there hadn’t even been time to review some of the documents UC produced, the memo said.

From Salon

Related Words

• deficient
• limited
• rare
• scant
• scanty
• sparse
• sporadic