Curtailing: meaning, definitions and examples

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curtailing

 

[ kɜːrˈteɪlɪŋ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

reducing, limiting

Curtailing refers to the act of cutting short or reducing something. It can involve restrictions on the amount or extent of an activity, service, or resource. This term is often used in contexts such as budgeting, policy-making, and personal behavior. When you curtail something, you limit its duration or size. The purpose of curtailing is frequently to conserve or manage resources more effectively.

Synonyms

diminish, limit, reduce, restrict, shorten

Examples of usage

  • The government is curtailing public spending to balance the budget.
  • She had to curtail her trip due to unexpected circumstances.
  • The company announced measures for curtailing emissions.
  • We need to curtail our expectations for the project timeline.

Translations

Translations of the word "curtailing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reduzindo

🇮🇳 कम करना

🇩🇪 kürzen

🇮🇩 memangkas

🇺🇦 скорочення

🇵🇱 ograniczanie

🇯🇵 削減する

🇫🇷 réduction

🇪🇸 reducir

🇹🇷 kısıtlama

🇰🇷 축소하다

🇸🇦 تقليص

🇨🇿 omezování

🇸🇰 obmedzovanie

🇨🇳 削减

🇸🇮 omejevanje

🇮🇸 takmarka

🇰🇿 шектеу

🇬🇪 შეზღუდვა

🇦🇿 məhdudlaşdırma

🇲🇽 reducción

Word origin

The term 'curtailing' comes from the Middle English word 'curtailen', which is derived from the Old French 'cortiller', meaning 'to cut short'. The root 'curtal' refers to a short tail (from the Latin 'curtus', meaning 'short'). Historically, to 'curtail' meant to cut off the tail of an animal, particularly horses, as a way to make them more manageable. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the general idea of shortening or limiting something beyond just physical attributes. In modern usage, 'curtail' has expanded in its application, often used in legal, environmental, and economic contexts to denote the reduction or limitation of activities, rights, or resources.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,510, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.