The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook by BETTER WORDS R. B. Skinner

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curtail

verb

/kəːˈteɪl/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of curtail

To reduce, limit, or shorten something, often with the intention of making it more manageable or less extensive.
"The company had to curtail production due to a shortage of raw materials."

Detailed meaning of curtail

When you curtail something, you take measures to cut it back or restrict it, typically to control its scope, duration, or impact. This term is often used in contexts where it's necessary to trim down or mitigate an activity, expenditure, or process. For example, a company might curtail its spending to manage its budget more effectively during lean times, or a government might curtail civil liberties in the interest of national security. "Curtail" underscores the idea of taking deliberate actions to bring something under control or within certain boundaries.

Example sentences containing curtail

1. The company decided to curtail its expenses to improve profitability.
2. To save energy, we should curtail the use of air conditioning.
3. The new regulations will curtail pollution from factories.
4. The government aims to curtail the spread of misinformation.
5. They had to curtail their vacation due to unexpected events.
6. The project manager suggested we curtail unnecessary meetings.

History and etymology of curtail

The verb 'curtail' shares its etymological roots with the noun 'curtal,' which referred to a type of horse with a docked or shortened tail. This term originated in Middle English from the Old French 'courtaut,' itself derived from the Latin 'curtus,' meaning 'short.' Over time, the usage of 'curtail' shifted from describing the act of shortening a horse's tail to metaphorically mean reducing, limiting, or shortening something in a more general sense. When you curtail something, you figuratively trim it down, often with the intention of making it more manageable or less extensive. The etymology of 'curtail' illustrates how language can evolve and adapt, taking a concrete, physical concept and applying it to more abstract notions of reduction and limitation.

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Further usage examples of curtail

1. The school plans to curtail the school day for younger students.
2. The chef had to curtail the menu due to ingredient shortages.
3. We must curtail our spending to stay within our budget.
4. The drought forced us to curtail our water usage.
5. The athlete had to curtail his training due to an injury.
6. The team decided to curtail the project's scope to meet the deadline.
7. She decided to curtail her social media usage for better focus.
8. The city implemented measures to curtail traffic congestion.
9. We need to curtail our reliance on fossil fuels for a greener future.
10. The pandemic forced us to curtail our travel plans.
11. The professor had to curtail the lecture due to time constraints.
12. They are working to curtail the illegal wildlife trade.
13. It's essential to curtail excessive screen time for kids.
14. To improve productivity, we should curtail multitasking.
15. The government's decision to curtail funding for the program led to its eventual discontinuation.
16. The company's new policy will curtail the number of sick days employees are allowed to take.
17. The decision to curtail the project was made due to budget constraints.
18. The new regulations are intended to curtail emissions from industrial plants.
19. The travel restrictions were put in place to curtail the spread of the virus.
20. The decision to curtail the event was made in response to the public health crisis.
21. The decision to curtail the program was met with strong opposition from its supporters.
22. The government's decision to curtail subsidies for renewable energy led to a decrease in investment in the sector.
23. The curfew was put in place to curtail the number of people out on the streets during the pandemic.
24. The company had to curtail its expansion plans due to the economic downturn.
25. The decision to curtail the hours of operation was made to reduce costs.
26. The government increased stamp duty on second homes to curtail property portfolios and excess profiteering.