curtail
1 Americanverb (used with object)
noun
-
a horizontal, spiral termination to the lower end of a stair railing.
-
Also called curtail step. a starting step having a scroll termination to one or both ends of the tread.
verb
Related Words
See shorten.
Other Word Forms
- curtailedly adverb
- curtailer noun
- curtailment noun
- noncurtailing adjective
- uncurtailed adjective
Etymology
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Several news reports Saturday indicated that passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been curtailed.
From MarketWatch
The agency’s capacity to regulate prediction markets and other exchanges has been curtailed over the past year, however.
From Barron's
If they don’t want to do that, the companies would have to pay significantly higher electric rates or agree to let their power be curtailed during shortages, such as during this winter’s polar air blasts.
“Either that, or a new positive catalyst — such as their curtailing expected AI capex — comes along to give the QQQs some positive momentum.”
From MarketWatch
He has, however, run headfirst into significant obstacles, both from the public and key institutions that have curtailed his ambitions.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
