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The Connection Between Truncate and Trees
The earliest use of truncate is as an adjective describing something (such as a leaf or feather) with the end squared off as if it had been cut. It makes sense, then, that the verb refers to shortening things. The word comes from Latin truncare ("to shorten"), which traces to truncus ("trunk").
Synonyms
Examples of truncate in a Sentence
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2023
Lawmakers are reportedly now considering an amendment that would truncate the two years of mandatory service into three weeks of military training.
—Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023
Last week, Nguema led a coup that ousted President Ali Bongo Ondimba, a military takeover that appears to have truncated the Bongo family’s decades-long dominance over Gabonese politics.
—Duarte Mendonca, CNN, 4 Sep. 2023
Witness the astonishing gaffe that truncated his first comeback in 2013, with an Oscar de la Renta residency brokered by Wintour.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Sep. 2023
Alas, their performances are if not wasted, truncated.
—Stephen Rodrick, Variety, 17 July 2023
As the royals stood in the balcony, jets streaked overhead, in a flyby that was truncated due to the weather.
—Claire Parker, Washington Post, 6 May 2023
The main event was truncated, drivers crashed more than normal due to tight turns, and fans complained about poor communication on weather updates.
—Hank Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2023
Moments that should deliver a quick plot point drag on, while courtroom scenes—where Comey is clearly at home—are oddly truncated.
—Jacob Bacharach, The New Republic, 1 June 2023
Mitchell Clark, The Verge, 21 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'truncate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
truncate
1 of 2 adjective
truncate
2 of 2 verb
More from Merriam-Webster on truncate
Nglish: Translation of truncate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of truncate for Arabic Speakers
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