| 释义 |
cur·tail
I. \|kər|tāl, |kə̄|-, |kəi|-, _kə(r)ˈt-, esp before pause or consonant -āəl\ transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: by folk etymology from earlier curtal to make a curtal of, from curtal, n.
1.
a. : to cut off the end or any part of : shorten in linear extent : reduce in area or amount
< whether the hair is curtailed or long and upswept — New Yorker >
< its area — it had extended … southward to the Ohio and westward to the Mississippi — was greatly curtailed — B.K.Sandwell >
b. : to diminish (intangible objects or values) : shorten in duration or scope : abridge, reduce
< curtail the power of feudal militarists — Vera M. Dean >
< curtail the working day >
2. : to deprive, dock, or rob (a person) of a right, privilege, or possession as indicated — used with of
< curtailed of his heritage >
< curtailed of one's citizenship >
Synonyms: see shorten
II. \ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: probably by folk etymology from curtal, n.
: the scroll end of any architectural member (as a step at the foot of a flight) |