pare

Definition

To remove the outer covering or skin of something with a cutting device, typically a knife.

Etymology

From Middle English paren, from Old French parer (“to arrange, prepare, trim”), from Latin parō (“I prepare, arrange; I provide, furnish; I resolve, purpose”) (related to pariō (“I bear, I give birth to; I spawn, produce, beget; I procure, acquire”)), from a Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to bring forward, bring forth”).

Example Sentences

• "Victor pared some apples in preparation to make a tart."
• "Albert had to pare his options down by disregarding anything beyond his meager budget."
• "Also referring to the deeds of certain Border Ruffians, he said, rapidly paring away his speech, like an experienced soldier, keeping a reserve of force and meaning, “They had a perfect right to be hung.”"