Paring: meaning, definitions and examples

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paring

[ˈpɛrɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

cooking

The act of cutting or trimming food into small pieces, usually with a knife or other sharp tool. It is often done as a preparation step before cooking.

Synonyms

peeling, slicing, trimming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
paring	‘Paring’ can also mean reducing or diminishing something gradually, usually in non-cooking contexts. The company is paring down its budget for next year He pared away unnecessary details from the report
peeling	Peeling refers to removing the outer skin or layer of fruits or vegetables, usually using a peeler or by hand. It is a common and general term. She was peeling potatoes for dinner Peel the oranges before you eat them
trimming	Trimming means cutting off the unwanted or excessive parts of something, which can apply to food, hair, plants, etc. She was trimming the fat off the meat Trim the hedges to make them look neat
slicing	Slicing is used when you are cutting something into thin or broad pieces. It is often used for bread, meat, or other foods. He was slicing the bread for the sandwich Slice the tomatoes as thin as possible

Examples of usage

Her knife skills were impeccable, and she could perform paring with ease.
The recipe called for paring the apples before adding them to the pie.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

mining

The act of removing the outer layers of a mineral or rock to expose the valuable material underneath.

Synonyms

digging, excavation, stripping.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
paring	Used when talking about removing the outer layer or skin of something, typically fruit or vegetables. She spent hours paring apples for the pie. He used a small knife for paring the potatoes.
excavation	Refers to the removal of earth in a systematic way, often used for archaeological or construction purposes. The excavation revealed ancient Roman ruins. Excavation of the site will begin next month.
digging	Typically used for manually removing earth or soil, often with a tool like a shovel. Also used metaphorically to look for information. They were digging a hole for the new tree. She's been digging into the archives for her research.
stripping	Often used to describe the removal of something in layers, such as paint, wallpaper, or insulation. Can also describe removing clothes, usually in a suggestive manner. He spent the weekend stripping the old paint off the furniture. The workers are stripping the roof before replacing it.

Examples of usage

The paring of the rock revealed a vein of gold running through it.
He spent hours carefully paring away the layers to extract the precious gemstone.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

general

A small slice or piece that has been removed from something larger.

Synonyms

fragment, shaving, sliver.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
paring	Note: This is a repeat of 'paring'. Refer to the first entry. She was paring apples for the pie. The chef put the parings of the carrots into the compost bin.
fragment	Used to describe a small part that has broken off or been separated from something larger, often utilized in general or scientific contexts. A fragment of the rock was analyzed in the lab. She found a fragment of an old letter in the attic.
shaving	Refers to very thin slices or small pieces removed from a surface, often used in woodworking or personal grooming contexts. He gathered wood shavings to start the campfire. She noticed some metal shavings on the workshop floor.
sliver	Describes a very thin, narrow piece or slice of something, often used to emphasize the small size of the piece. He cut a sliver of cake for himself. A sliver of glass got stuck in her finger.

Examples of usage

She offered me a paring of the cake she had baked.
The parings of wood left on the floor indicated that someone had been carving.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'paring' comes from the Old French 'parer', which means to trim or cut.
Historically, the term has been used primarily in culinary contexts to describe the preparation of fruits and vegetables.
In Middle English, different variations of the word 'paren' were also used, highlighting its link to cutting processes.

Culinary Techniques

Paring is a common technique in cooking, especially when preparing ingredients like apples or potatoes, to enhance flavor and presentation.
Chefs often use specialized tools, like a paring knife, which is designed for precision cuts in small tasks.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, paring can also refer to trimming meats to remove excess fat or undesirable bits.

Psychology of Cooking

The act of paring food can be meditative, helping individuals to focus and engage more mindfully with the cooking process.
Research suggests that the practice of cooking and preparing food can improve emotional well-being and reduce stress.
In a social context, food paring can create opportunities for bonding, as people often prepare and share meals together.

In Literature

In literary works, characters often engage in paring as a metaphor for revealing their true selves, peeling away layers to expose vulnerabilities.
The act of paring can symbolize the removal of unnecessary complexities in life, focusing on the essential aspects of a story or character.
Classic literature often employs food preparation, including paring, as a way to connect characters and plot.

Cultural Significance

Many cultures have unique traditional practices around paring, such as in Japanese cuisine where precision in slicing is highly valued.
In some communities, paring fruits and vegetables together is a cultural ritual that promotes togetherness and sharing.
In Western culture, the seasonal practice of preparing fresh produce aligns with celebrations, highlighting the communal aspect of cooking.

Translations

Translations of the word "paring" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pareamento

🇮🇳 जोड़ना

🇩🇪 Paarung

🇮🇩 pemasangan

🇺🇦 спарювання

🇵🇱 parowanie

🇯🇵 ペアリング

🇫🇷 jumelage

🇪🇸 emparejamiento

🇹🇷 eşleştirme

🇰🇷 페어링

🇸🇦 إقران

🇨🇿 párování

🇸🇰 párovanie

🇨🇳 配对

🇸🇮 parjenje

🇮🇸 pörun

🇰🇿 жұптау

🇬🇪 წყვილება

🇦🇿 cütləşmə

🇲🇽 emparejamiento

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,183, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
24180 varicose
24181 hexagon
24182 stealthy
24183 paring
24184 yellowing
24185 cubical
24186 pedagogic
...