Paring - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

par·ing

Audio Help [pair-ing] Pronunciation Key

–noun

1.	the act of a person or thing that pares.

2.	a piece or part pared off: apple parings.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME (ger.); see pare, -ing¹

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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Paring

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

pare

Audio Help [pair] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), pared, par·ing.

1.	to cut off the outer coating, layer, or part of.

2.	to remove (an outer coating, layer, or part) by cutting (often fol. by off or away).

3.	to reduce or remove by or as by cutting; diminish or decrease gradually (often fol. by down): to pare down one's expenses.

[Origin: 1275–1325; ME paren < MF parer to make ready, trim < L parāre to prepare

]

—Related forms

pare·a·ble, adjective

—Synonyms 1. See peel¹. 3. clip, shave, lessen.

—Antonyms 3. increase.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

pare Audio Help (pâr) Pronunciation Key
tr.v. pared, par·ing, pares

To remove the outer covering or skin of with a knife or similar instrument: pare apples.
To remove by or as if by cutting, clipping, or shaving: pared off the excess dough.
To reduce as if by cutting off outer parts; trim: pare expenses from the monthly budget.

[Middle English paren, from Old French parer, to prepare, trim, from Latin parāre, to prepare; see perə-¹ in Indo-European roots.]

par'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

par·ing Audio Help (pâr'ĭng) Pronunciation Key
n.

Something, such as a skin or peel, that has been pared off.
The act of removing the outer covering or skin.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

paring
noun
1.	a thin fragment or slice (especially of wood) that has been shaved from something
2.	(usually plural) a part of a fruit or vegetable that is pared or cut off; especially the skin or peel; "she could peel an apple with a single long paring"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Paring

Pare\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pared; p. pr. & vb. n. Paring.] [F. parer to pare, as a horse's hoofs, to dress or curry, as, leather, to clear, as anchors or cables, to parry, ward off, fr. L. parare to prepare. Cf. Empire, Parade, Pardon, Parry, Prepare.]

1. To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's hoof.

2. To remove; to separate; to cut or shave, as the skin, ring, or outside part, from anything; -- followed by off or away; as; to pare off the ring of fruit; to pare away redundancies.

3. Fig.: To diminish the bulk of; to reduce; to lessen.

The king began to pare a little the privilege of clergy. --Bacon.

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