pare

Everyday

1. To cut away the thin outer skin or edge of something, such as fruit or nails, with a knife. tree →
2. To make something smaller bit by bit: «pare down», «pare back» costs or a list. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking, you pare an apple or a potato with a paring knife. In everyday and business talk, «pare down» means cut down to the important parts: pare down a story, pare back spending. Phrases: «pare an apple», «paring knife», «pare down», «pare back».

Examples

• Mum pared the apple in one long curly strip. tree →
• Use a paring knife to pare the potatoes. tree →
• We had to pare down our list of party guests. tree →
• The school pared back spending on trips this year. tree →
• She pared her story down to 300 words. tree →
• Grandpa pared his fingernails on the porch. tree →

Note

Past «pared». Homophones: pair (two), pear (the fruit) — all sound the same! Trap: «pare» (cut thinly) vs «peel» (more common for fruit). Safety: knives need adult help.

In Jewish tradition

A captive woman taken as a wife must shave her head and pare her nails.

Interpretation. Some commentators read this as a sign of mourning and of giving up her old life. Others read it as making her less attractive, so that the man would think twice.

Examples

• then thou shalt bring her home to thy house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails; (Torah DEU.21.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past «pared». Homophones: pair (two), pear (the fruit) — all sound the same! Trap: «pare» (cut thinly) vs «peel» (more common for fruit). Safety: knives need adult help.