truncate

[truhng-keyt]

verb (used with object)

truncated, truncating 

1. to shorten by cutting off a part; cut short.

   Truncate detailed explanations.

   Synonyms: abbreviate, curtail, trim, abridge

2. Mathematics, Computers.,  to shorten (a number) by dropping a digit or digits.

   The numbers 1.4142 and 1.4987 can both be truncated to 1.4.

adjective

1. truncated.

2. Biology.

   1. square or broad at the end, as if cut off transversely.

   2. lacking the apex, as certain spiral shells.

truncate

verb

1. (tr) to shorten by cutting off a part, end, or top

adjective

1. cut short; truncated

2. biology having a blunt end, as though cut off at the tip

   a truncate leaf

Other Word Forms

• truncately adverb
• subtruncate adjective
• truncation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of truncate¹

1480–90; < Latin truncātus (past participle of truncāre to lop), equivalent to trunc ( us ) trunk + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of truncate¹

C15: from Latin truncāre to lop

Example Sentences

But they will know that victory in the Club World Cup will not easily translate into the Premier League, particularly after a truncated 13-day pre-season having becoming world champions in July.

From BBC

After some conversations with FX, the opening moments morphed into a truncated version of the original film’s initial sequence that created a sense of unease by gradually drawing viewers into its deep space cargo ship.

From Los Angeles Times

That includes about 250 pages of annotated letters to and from the Colonel, which might have been better used, in truncated form, spread throughout the narrative proper.

From Los Angeles Times

It would almost certainly lead these areas to be cordoned off from public use, truncating shared spaces for recreation and nature access and the benefits that come with them.

From Salon

Who better, supporters say, to engage President Trump than the former prosecutor who whipped him in their one debate and only just lost the popular vote after being thrust overnight into a drastically truncated campaign?

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abbreviate 
• abridge 
• curtail 
• cut short 

When To Use

What does truncate mean?

Truncate means to shorten something by removing part of it.You can truncate something by removing the beginning of it, the end of it, the top of it, or another part of it. In scientific and medical contexts, truncating often involves cutting off a part of something in a way that’s parallel to its base (or perpendicular to its side).In the context of math, to truncate is to shorten a number by dropping some of the digits after the decimal place. For example, 1.524 can be truncated to 1.5.Less commonly, truncate can be used as an adjective with the same meaning as truncated—shortened, as if having had a portion cut off.Example: When they originally released the movie, they truncated the ending, but they’re planning to release the full version soon.