from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Retrench \Re*trench"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retrenched}; p. pr.
& vb. n. {Retrenching}.] [OF. retrenchier, F. retrancher;
pref. re- re- + OF. trenchier, F. trancher, to cut. See
{Trench}.]
1. To cut off; to pare away.
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Thy exuberant parts retrench. --Denham.
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2. To lessen; to abridge; to curtail; as, to retrench
superfluities or expenses.
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But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched.
--Milton.
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3. To confine; to limit; to restrict. --Addison.
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These figures, ought they then to receive a
retrenched interpretation? --I. Taylor.
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4. (Fort.) To furnish with a retrenchment; as, to retrench
bastions.
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Syn: To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.
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