trim
Language: English
Part of speech: verb
Pronunciation: ipa: /tɹɪm/
ipa: [t̠ʰɹ̠̊ɪm]
rhymes: -ɪm
Forms: form: trims
form: trimming
form: trimmed
form: trimmed
Etymology: From Middle English trimen, trymen, trümen, from Old English trymman (“to make firm; strengthen”), from Proto-West Germanic *trummjan, from Proto-Germanic *trumjaną (“to make fast; strengthen”), from Proto-Germanic *trumaz (“firm; strong; sound”).
Senses: examples: text: He trimmed his beard before the interview.
text: The hedge needs to be trimmed.
text: Place the screen material in the frame, secure it in place, and trim the edges.
text: The company trimmed jobs for the second time this year.
text: A ranch steak is usually trimmed of all excess fat.
glosses: To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess.
examples: text: They traditionally trim the tree on Christmas Eve.
text: A rotten building newly trimmed over.
ref: 1649, J[ohn] Milton, ΕΙΚΟΝΟΚΛΆΣΤΗΣ [Eikonoklástēs] […], London: […] Matthew Simmons, […], →OCLC:
text: I was trimmed in Madam Julia's gown.
ref: c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iv]:
text: Seats are trimmed in a grey and blue moquette and tables are finished with grey Vyanide tops, gilt edging and ebony legs.
ref: 1961 February, “New "Mini-Buffets" from Wolverton”, in Trains Illustrated, page 79:
text: The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […] The bed was the most extravagant piece. Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.
ref: 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
glosses: To decorate or adorn; especially of a Christmas tree.
topics: aeronautics
aerospace
aviation
business
engineering
natural-sciences
physical-sciences
glosses: To adjust the positions of control surfaces, sometimes using trim tabs, so as to modify or eliminate the aircraft's tendency to pitch, roll, or yaw when the cockpit controls are released.
raw_tags: of an aircraft
examples: text: The captain made us trim the boat, and we got her to lie a little more evenly.
ref: 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:
topics: nautical
transport
glosses: To modify the angle relative to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause to assume a certain position, or trim, in the water.
raw_tags: of a vessel
topics: nautical
transport
glosses: To modify the angle (of the sails) relative to the wind, especially to set them at the most advantageous angle.
raw_tags: of a vessel's sails
glosses: To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
examples: text: The hermit trimmed his little fire.
ref: 1766, [Oliver Goldsmith], The Vicar of Wakefield: […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), Salisbury, Wiltshire: […] B. Collins, for F[rancis] Newbery, […], →OCLC:
glosses: To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
topics: business
carpentry
construction
manufacturing
glosses: To dress; to make smooth.
raw_tags: of timber
glosses: To rebuke; to reprove.
glosses: To beat or thrash.
examples: text: The lamp, or candle, which lights the binnacle, is placed in the cabin, of course the expence of one light is saved, and all the inconveniences of blowing out in a squally night, and likewise the trouble of trimming the lamp, are avoided.
ref: 1811, The Tradesman, volume 7, page 420:
glosses: To cut back the wick of (a lamp) to maintain a clean, bright flame.
examples: text: To trim an arc lamp, first remove the old carbons and carefully and thoroughly wipe the carbon rods, holders, &c. with a clean, dry rag. […] Having cleaned the rods, next wipe out the globe and get ready the fresh carbons.
ref: 1892, English Mechanic and World of Science, page 444:
glosses: To change the carbon rods of (an arc lamp).
Derived terms: betrim
mistrim
retrim
trim down
trim down to size
trim one's sails
trim up