curtail

¹

[ ker-teyl ]

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms: dock, lessen

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

/ kɜːˈteɪl /

verb

1. tr to cut short; abridge

Derived Forms

• curˈtailment, noun
• curˈtailer, noun

Other Words From

• cur·tailed·ly adverb
• cur·tail·er noun
• cur·tail·ment noun
• non·cur·tail·ing adjective
• un·cur·tailed adjective

Word 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtail¹

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

Synonym Study

See shorten.

Example Sentences

He diligently befriended Cordelia Scaife May, an heiress to Andrew Mellon’s fortunes who funded forest preservation across Pennsylvania and believed in curtailing population growth, endearing himself to her with gauzy appeals.

From Salon

Trump has listed mass deportations and the curtailing of temporary legal status for millions of immigrants as among his top priorities.

From Los Angeles Times

It later adopted a number of rules curtailing diesel pollution in heavy-duty trucks and equipment at ports.

From Los Angeles Times

The road map also calls for curtailing the ACA’s contraceptive mandate, which it says “has been the source of years of egregious attacks on many Americans’ religious and moral beliefs.”

From Los Angeles Times

On immigration, Trump has made it clear that he will move to curtail pathways to migration, likely scrapping the CBP One smartphone app.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cut back
• decrease
• diminish
• downsize
• halt
• lessen
• reduce
• shorten
• slash
• trim