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Curtailment: meaning, definitions and examples

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curtailment

 

[ kərˈteɪlmənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

policy reduction

Curtailment refers to the act of reducing or limiting something, often associated with policies or measures aimed at controlling expenses or resource usage. It is commonly used in contexts such as governmental budgets, energy consumption, or time management. The reduction can occur in various areas, including social services, funding, or personal activities. Generally, curtailment implies a deliberate decision to cut back in order to achieve a specific goal or to address a concern.

Synonyms

cutback, downgrade, limitation, reduction

Examples of usage

  • The government announced a curtailment of public spending.
  • Due to budget constraints, curtailment of certain programs became necessary.
  • The curtailment of energy usage during peak hours is encouraged.

Translations

Translations of the word "curtailment" in other languages:

🇵🇹 redução

🇮🇳 कमी

🇩🇪 Kürzung

🇮🇩 pengurangan

🇺🇦 скорочення

🇵🇱 ograniczenie

🇯🇵 短縮

🇫🇷 réduction

🇪🇸 reducción

🇹🇷 kısıtlama

🇰🇷 축소

🇸🇦 تخفيض

🇨🇿 omezení

🇸🇰 obmedzenie

🇨🇳 缩减

🇸🇮 omejitev

🇮🇸 skerting

🇰🇿 азайту

🇬🇪 შეკვეცა

🇦🇿 azaltma

🇲🇽 reducción

Word origin

The word 'curtailment' derives from the late Middle English term 'curtailen,' which originally meant to shorten or cut off. This earlier form comes from the Anglo-French word 'curtailler,' meaning to cut or shorten, which in turn traces its roots to the Latin 'curtus,' meaning shortened or cut. The concept of curtailment has been part of the English lexicon since the late 14th century, evolving in its use to encompass not just the physical act of cutting, but also metaphorically representing the limitation or reduction of powers, rights, and resources. Over time, curtailment has found its way into various domains, including economics, law, environmental policies, and personal life management, as society increasingly focuses on efficiency and resource management.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,119, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.