curtail
curtail
Pronunciation
IPA phonetic spelling for "curtail": /kɚˈteɪl/
Syllable breakdown:
kɚ: /k/ (voiceless velar plosive) + /ɚ/ (schwa)
teɪl: /t/ (voiceless alveolar plosive) + /eɪ/ (diphthong: /ɛ/ + /ɪ/) + /l/ (voiced alveolar lateral liquid)
Word Form Variations
Present tense: curtail
Past tense: curtailed
Past participle: curtailed
Present participle: curtailing
There is no plural form for "curtail" as it is a verb.
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Verb: Curtail
Definition: To reduce or limit something.
Synonyms: Abridge, diminish, lessen, truncate, shorten
Antonyms: Expand, extend, increase, lengthen, prolong
Noun: Curtailment
Definition: A reduction or limitation.
Synonyms: Abridgement, curtailment, decrease, diminution, reduction
Antonyms: Expansion, extension, growth, increase
Examples of Use
News and Online Publications:
News Article: "Due to budget cuts, the city council has been forced to curtail funding for public libraries." (The New York Times)
Blog Post: "The pandemic has curtailed many people's social lives, leading to feelings of isolation." (Psychology Today)
Government Report: "The government plans to curtail emissions to combat climate change." (Environmental Protection Agency)
Books:
Fiction: "The villain's plot to curtail the hero's quest led to a thrilling climax." (A fictional novel)
Non-fiction: "The Great Depression forced many families to curtail their spending." (A historical text)
Entertainment:
Movie: "The hero must curtail the villain's evil plans to save the world." (A superhero film)
TV Show: "The character's freedom is curtailed by a mysterious force." (A science fiction series)
Video Game: "The player must curtail the enemy's progress to win the game." (A strategy game)
General Public Discourse:
Conversation: "We'll have to curtail our vacation plans due to the unexpected expenses."
Social Media: "The company's decision to curtail employee benefits has caused widespread outrage." (Twitter)
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Curtail
Direct Usage: "We must curtail our spending to avoid financial ruin." (A common financial advice)
Metaphorical Usage: "The heavy rain began to curtail our outdoor plans." (Using "curtail" metaphorically to mean "hinder" or "restrict")
Synonymous Usage: "To diminish one's freedom is a grave injustice." (Using "diminish" as a synonym for "curtail")
Historical Context: "The war effort necessitated the curtailment of civil liberties." (A historical reference to wartime restrictions)
Political Discourse: "The government plans to curtail welfare programs." (A common political debate topic)
Personal Finance: "It's wise to curtail unnecessary expenses during economic downturns." (Financial advice)
Environmental Context: "We need to curtail our carbon emissions to protect the planet." (Environmental activism)
Workplace Context: "The company may curtail production due to declining sales." (Business news)
Healthcare Context: "The pandemic forced hospitals to curtail non-essential services." (Healthcare news)
Original Quote: "True freedom is not the absence of constraints, but the ability to curtail self-destructive desires." (An original quote exploring the concept of freedom)
Etymology
The word "curtail" is quite old, with its roots going back to the 16th century. It's interesting to note that it didn't come from another language but was actually formed within the English language itself.
The word "curtail" is related to the word "curtal," which was used to describe a horse with a docked tail. Over time, the meaning expanded to refer to cutting short or reducing something. So, when we "curtail" something, we're essentially cutting it short or reducing it, much like how a horse's tail was shortened.
The first known use of "curtail" was in the mid-1500s. It was used to describe the act of reducing or limiting something.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Curtail
Phrases with "curtail":
Curtail spending: To reduce expenses.
Curtail freedom: To restrict liberty.
Curtail activities: To reduce or limit activities.
Phrases with synonyms for "curtail":
Cut back on: To reduce or limit something.
Trim down: To reduce something in size or amount.
Rein in: To control or limit something.
Idioms with similar meaning:
To rein something in: This idiom means to control or limit something, similar to curtailing it.
To tighten the belt: This idiom means to reduce spending, which is similar to curtailing expenses.
Original phrases using "curtail":
To curtail one's ambitions: To reduce one's goals or aspirations.
To curtail one's joy: To dampen one's happiness or excitement.
While "curtail" itself isn't a core component of many idioms, its meaning of reduction and limitation aligns with several common phrases and idioms. These expressions help to convey the concept of curtailment in various contexts.
Posts Related to Curtail
Source Information
Definition of curtail from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
