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Trim

 - 4 dictionary results

trim

[trim] ,verb, trimmed, trim⋅ming, noun, adjective, trim⋅mer, trim⋅mest, adverb
–verb (used with object)
1. to put into a neat or orderly condition by clipping, paring, pruning, etc.: to trim a hedge.
2. to remove (something superfluous or dispensable) by or as if by cutting (often fol. by off): to trim off loose threads from a ragged edge.
3. to cut down, as to required size or shape: trim a budget; trim a piece of wood.
4. Aeronautics. to level off (an airship or airplane) in flight.
5. Nautical.
a. to distribute the load of (a ship) so that it sits well in the water.
b. to stow or arrange, as cargo.
c. to adjust (the sails or yards) with reference to the direction of the wind and the course of the ship.
6. to decorate or adorn with ornaments or embellishments: to trim a dress with fur.
7. to arrange goods in (a store window, showcase, etc.) as a display.
8. to prepare or adjust (a lamp, fire, etc.) for proper burning.
9. Informal.
a. to rebuke or reprove.
b. to beat or thrash.
c. to defeat.
10. to dress or array (often fol. by up).
–verb (used without object)
11. Nautical.
a. to assume a particular position or trim in the water, as a vessel.
b. to adjust the sails or yards with reference to the direction of the wind and the course of the ship.
12. to pursue a neutral or cautious policy between parties.
13. to accommodate one's views to the prevailing opinion for reasons of expediency.
–noun
14. the condition, order, or fitness of a person or thing for action, work, use, etc.
15. Nautical.
a. the set of a ship in the water, esp. the most advantageous one.
b. the condition of a ship with reference to its fitness for sailing.
c. the adjustment of sails, rigging, etc., with reference to wind direction and the course of the ship.
d. the condition of a submarine as regards buoyancy.
16. a person's dress, adornment, or appearance.
17. material used for decoration or embellishment; decorative trimming.
18. decoration of a store window for the display of merchandise; window dressing.
19. a trimming by cutting, clipping, or the like.
20. a haircut that restores the previous cut to neatness without changing the hair style.
21. something that is cut off or eliminated.
22. Aeronautics. the attitude of an airplane with respect to all three axes, at which balance occurs in forward flight under no controls.
23. Building Trades. finished woodwork or the like used to decorate or border openings or wall surfaces, as cornices, baseboards, or moldings.
24. Automotive.
a. the upholstery, knobs, handles, and other equipment inside a motor car.
b. ornamentation on the exterior of an automobile, esp. in metal or a contrasting color.
–adjective
25. pleasingly neat or smart in appearance: trim lawns.
26. in good condition or order.
27. (of a person) in excellent physical condition: Swimming is a good way to keep trim.
28. slim; lean.
29. Obsolete. good, excellent, or fine.
–adverb
30. trimly.
31. trim one's sails. sail (def. 19).

Origin:
bef. 900; prob. continuing OE trymman, trymian to strengthen, prepare (not recorded in ME), deriv. of trum strong, active; akin to Ir dron strong, Gk drȳmós coppice, L dūrus hard. See tree


trimly, adverb
trimness, noun


1. shear, shave, cut, lop. 6. deck, bedeck, ornament, embellish, garnish. 17. adornment, garnish. 25. compact, trig, spruce.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Trim
trim   (trĭm)   
v.   trimmed, trim·ming, trims

v.   tr.
  1. To make neat or tidy by clipping, smoothing, or pruning: trimmed his moustache.

    1. To remove (excess) by cutting: trim a budget.

    2. To remove the excess from by or as if by cutting: trimmed off the rotten wood.

    3. To thrash; beat.

    4. To defeat soundly.

    5. To cheat.

    6. To rebuke; scold.

    7. To adjust (the sails and yards) so that they receive the wind properly.

    8. To balance (a ship) by shifting its cargo or contents.

  2. To ornament; decorate.

  3. Informal

    1. To thrash; beat.

    2. To defeat soundly.

    3. To cheat.

    4. To rebuke; scold.

    5. To adjust (the sails and yards) so that they receive the wind properly.

    6. To balance (a ship) by shifting its cargo or contents.

  4. Nautical

    1. To adjust (the sails and yards) so that they receive the wind properly.

    2. To balance (a ship) by shifting its cargo or contents.

  5. To balance (an aircraft) in flight by regulating the control surfaces and tabs.

  6. To furnish or equip.

v.   intr.
  1. Nautical

    1. To be in or retain equilibrium.

    2. To make sails and yards ready for sailing.

    3. To affect or maintain cautious neutrality.

    4. To fashion one's views for momentary popularity or advantage.

    1. To affect or maintain cautious neutrality.

    2. To fashion one's views for momentary popularity or advantage.

n.  
    1. State of order, arrangement, or appearance; condition: in good trim.

    2. A condition of good health or fitness.

    3. Exterior ornamentation, such as moldings or framework, on a building or vehicle.

    4. Decoration or ornament, as for clothing.

    5. The readiness of a vessel for sailing with regard to ballast, sails, and yards.

    6. The balance of a ship.

    7. The difference between the draft at the bow and at the stern.

    1. Exterior ornamentation, such as moldings or framework, on a building or vehicle.

    2. Decoration or ornament, as for clothing.

    3. The readiness of a vessel for sailing with regard to ballast, sails, and yards.

    4. The balance of a ship.

    5. The difference between the draft at the bow and at the stern.

  1. Material used in commercial window displays.

  2. Dress or equipment.

  3. Excised or rejected material, such as film that has been cut in editing. Often used in the plural.

  4. Personal quality; character.

  5. A cutting or clipping to make neat: My hair needs a trim.

  6. Nautical

    1. The readiness of a vessel for sailing with regard to ballast, sails, and yards.

    2. The balance of a ship.

    3. The difference between the draft at the bow and at the stern.

  7. The position of an aircraft relative to its horizontal axis.

adj.   trim·mer, trim·mest
    1. In good or neat order.

    2. In good physical condition; fit; slim.

  1. Having lines, edges, or forms of neat and pleasing simplicity. See Synonyms at neat1.

adv.  In a trim manner.

[Middle English trimmen, to make firm, from Old English trymman, from trum, strong; see deru- in Indo-European roots.]
trim'ly adv., trim'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

trim  (v.)
probably from O.E. trymman "strengthen, make ready," from trum "strong, stable," from P.Gmc. *trumaz; said to be cognate with Skt. drumah "tree," Gk. drymos "copse, thicket," drys "tree, oak," and O.E. treow (see tree). Examples in M.E. are wanting. Original sense is preserved in nautical phrase in fighting trim (see trim (n.)). Meaning "make neat by cutting" is first recorded 1530; that of "decorate, adorn" is from 1547. Sense of "reduce" is attested from 1966. The adj. sense of "in good condition, neat, fit" is attested from 1503, probably ult. from O.E. adj. trum.

trim  (n.)
"state of being prepared," 1590, nautical jargon, from trim (v.). The meaning "visible woodwork of a house" is recorded from 1884; sense of "ornamental additions to an automobile" is from 1922. Slang meaning "a woman regarded as a sex object" is attested from 1955, Amer.Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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