51Թ

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View synonyms for

curtail

1

[ker-teyl]

verb (used with object)

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

    Synonyms: ,


curtail

2

[kur-teyl]

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

/ ɜːˈٱɪ /

verb

  1. (tr) to cut short; abridge

“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
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • curtailedly adverb
  • curtailer noun
  • curtailment noun
  • noncurtailing adjective
  • uncurtailed adjective
  • ܰˈٲԳ noun
  • ܰˈٲ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

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
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of curtail1

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

See shorten.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

He was devastated and worried that he would have to curtail plans of a dream wedding and honeymoon with fiancée Lara Russell.

From

He said it looked like the curfew had been effective in curtailing the worst of the violence Tuesday night.

From

Nehru imagined a single, seven-year presidential term, proportional representation in Parliament and state legislatures, a judiciary with curtailed powers and a press reined in by strict libel laws.

From

However any player who quits the Premiership to compete in R360 risks curtailing their international career.

From

Many of the institutions that Trump now threatens to curtail or destroy have made this country a democratic haven and cultural center for decades.

From

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curtcurtailment