catflap.org Online Dictionary Query

  Trim \Trim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Trimmed; p. pr. & vb. n.
     Trimming.] [OE. trimen, trumen, AS. trymian, trymman, to
     prepare, dispose, make strong, fr. trum firm, strong; of
     uncertain origin.]
     1. To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make
        right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
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              The hermit trimmed his little fire.   --Goldsmith.
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     2. To dress; to decorate; to adorn; to invest; to embellish;
        as, to trim a hat.
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              A rotten building newly trimmed over. --Milton.
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              I was trimmed in Julia's gown.        --Shak.
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     3. To make ready or right by cutting or shortening; to clip
        or lop; to curtail; as, to trim the hair; to trim a tree.
        `` And trimmed the cheerful lamp.'' --Byron.
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     4. (Carp.) To dress, as timber; to make smooth.
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     5. (Naut.)
        (a) To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or
            disposing the weight of persons or goods, so equally
            on each side of the center and at each end, that she
            shall sit well on the water and sail well; as, to trim
            a ship, or a boat.
        (b) To arrange in due order for sailing; as, to trim the
            sails.
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     6. To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat. [Colloq.]
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     To trim in (Carp.), to fit, as a piece of timber, into
        other work.
  
     To trim up, to dress; to put in order.
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              I found her trimming up the diadem
              On her dead mistress.                 --Shak.
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        A rotten building newly trimmed over.       --Milton.
  
        I was trimmed in Julia's gown.              --Shak.
  
     3. To make ready or right by cutting or shortening; to clip
        or lop; to curtail; as, to trim the hair; to trim a tree.
        `` And trimmed the cheerful lamp.'' --Byron.
  
     4. (Carp.) To dress, as timber; to make smooth.
  
     5. (Naut.)
        (a) To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or
            disposing the weight of persons or goods, so equally
            on each side of the center and at each end, that she
            shall sit well on the water and sail well; as, to trim
            a ship, or a boat.
        (b) To arrange in due order for sailing; as, to trim the
            sails.
  
     6. To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat. [Colloq.]
  
     To trim in (Carp.), to fit, as a piece of timber, into
        other work.
  
     To trim up, to dress; to put in order.
  
              I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead
              mistress.                             --Shak.