Hypertext Webster Gateway: "retrench"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Retrench \Re*trench"\, v. i.
To cause or suffer retrenchment; specifically, to cut down
living expenses; as, it is more reputable to retrench than to
live embarrassed.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
Thy exuberant parts retrench. --Denham.
2. To lessen; to abridge; to curtail; as, to retrench
superfluities or expenses.
But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched.
--Milton.
3. To confine; to limit; to restrict. --Addison.
These figures, ought they then to receive a
retrenched interpretation? --I. Taylor.
4. (Fort.) To furnish with a retrenchment; as, to retrench
bastions.
Syn: To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
retrench
v 1: tighten one's belt; use resources carefully
2: make a reduction, as in one's workforce; "The company had to
retrench"
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