Main Entry: re·trench

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtrench\

Function: verb

Etymology: obsolete French retrencher (now retrancher), from Middle French retrenchier, from re- + trenchier to cut

Date: 1596

transitive verb 1 a : cut down, reduce b : to cut out : excise
2 : to pare away : removeintransitive verb : to make retrenchments; specifically : economize

synonyms see shorten