from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Trim \Trim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Trimmed}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Trimming}.] [OE. trimen, trumen, AS. trymian, trymman, to
prepare, dispose, make strong, fr. trum firm, strong; of
uncertain origin.]
1. To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make
right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
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The hermit trimmed his little fire. --Goldsmith.
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2. To dress; to decorate; to adorn; to invest; to embellish;
as, to trim a hat.
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A rotten building newly trimmed over. --Milton.
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I was trimmed in Julia's gown. --Shak.
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3. To make ready or right by cutting or shortening; to clip
or lop; to curtail; as, to trim the hair; to trim a tree.
" And trimmed the cheerful lamp." --Byron.
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4. (Carp.) To dress, as timber; to make smooth.
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5. (Naut.)
(a) To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or
disposing the weight of persons or goods, so equally
on each side of the center and at each end, that she
shall sit well on the water and sail well; as, to trim
a ship, or a boat.
(b) To arrange in due order for sailing; as, to trim the
sails.
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6. To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat. [Colloq.]
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{To trim in} (Carp.), to fit, as a piece of timber, into
other work.
{To trim up}, to dress; to put in order.
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I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead mistress. --Shak.
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