curtail
/kəːˈteɪl
/verb [with object]
1Reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on: civil liberties were further curtailed...
- But what they end up with, after all the reserve they impose (and which curtails their creative impetus) is merely anecdotal.
- I think it is a pity that they did not get an opportunity to curtail the hours and restrict the use of the main auditorium.
- Play is now restricted or curtailed with the par reduced and handicaps proportionately trimmed.
Synonyms
reduce, cut, cut down, cut back, decrease, lessen, diminish, slim down, tighten up, retrench, pare down, trim, dock, lop, shrink;
shorten, cut short, break off, truncate;
restrict, put a restriction on, limit, put a limit on, curb, put the brakes on, rein in, rein back
informal chop
1.1 (curtail someone of) archaic Deprive someone of (something): I that am curtailed of this fair proportion
Origin
Late 15th century: from obsolete curtal 'horse with a docked tail', from French courtault, from court 'short', from Latin curtus. The change in the ending was due to association with tail1 and perhaps also with French tailler 'to cut'.