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curtail

cur·tail
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [ker-teyl]
    • /kərˈteɪl/
    • /kəˈteɪl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [ker-teyl]
    • /kərˈteɪl/

Definitions of curtail word

  • verb curtail If you curtail something, you reduce or limit it. 3
  • verb curtail to cut short; abridge 3
  • verb transitive curtail to cut short; reduce; abridge 3
  • verb with object curtail to cut short; cut off a part of; abridge; reduce; diminish. 1
  • noun curtail a horizontal, spiral termination to the lower end of a stair railing. 1
  • noun curtail Also called curtail step. a starting step having a scroll termination to one or both ends of the tread. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of curtail

First appearance:

before 1425
One of the 25% oldest English words
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)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Curtail

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

curtail popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

curtail usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for curtail

verb curtail

  • trim — to put into a neat or orderly condition by clipping, paring, pruning, etc.: to trim a hedge.
  • cut back — If you cut back something such as expenditure or cut back on it, you reduce it.
  • halt — to falter, as in speech, reasoning, etc.; be hesitant; stumble.
  • reduce — to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number, etc.: to reduce one's weight by 10 pounds.
  • shorten — to make short or shorter.

Antonyms for curtail

verb curtail

  • grow — to increase by natural development, as any living organism or part by assimilation of nutriment; increase in size or substance.
  • increase — to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: to increase taxes.
  • lengthen — to make longer; make greater in length.
  • stretch — to draw out or extend (oneself, a body, limbs, wings, etc.) to the full length or extent (often followed by out): to stretch oneself out on the ground.
  • amplify — If you amplify a sound, you make it louder, usually by using electronic equipment.

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See also

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