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The Connection Between Truncate and Trees
Bushwhack your way deep enough into the literature of tree identification and you may come across references to trees with “truncate” leaves. Such leaves (as of the tulip tree, for example) have bases that are straight and even, as though they’ve been cut or sheared away from something larger. The adjectival use of truncate isn’t common—it’s mostly found in technical writing (and can also describe feathers, etc., that appear squared or evened off), but the familiar verb doesn’t fall far from the tree: it is applied when something is shortened by literally or figuratively lopping part of it off, as when someone truncates a planned speech to fit time constraints. Both adjective and noun come from the Latin verb truncare, meaning “to shorten,” which in turn traces back to the noun truncus, meaning “trunk.” So next time you’re stumped about the meaning of truncate, try to picture, well, a stump.
Examples of truncate in a Sentence
Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 25 Mar. 2025
However, there is no compelling reason to believe that truncating the number of neurons is an optimal strategy.
—Sam Mugel, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
The results led to traces that were similar to the Alkali Flat tracks, with the poles dragged in the mud, truncating footprints.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2025
Historical context Presidential honeymoons used to stretch on for many months and sometimes years, but they have become truncated in recent decades.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for truncate
Cite this Entry
“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
truncate
1 of 2 adjective
truncate
2 of 2 verb
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