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The Connection Between Truncate and Trees
Bushwhack your way deep enough into the literature of tree identification and you may come across references to trees with “truncate” leaves. Such leaves (as of the tulip tree, for example) have bases that are straight and even, as though they’ve been cut or sheared away from something larger. The adjectival use of truncate isn’t common—it’s mostly found in technical writing (and can also describe feathers, etc., that appear squared or evened off), but the familiar verb doesn’t fall far from the tree: it is applied when something is shortened by literally or figuratively lopping part of it off, as when someone truncates a planned speech to fit time constraints. Both adjective and noun come from the Latin verb truncare, meaning “to shorten,” which in turn traces back to the noun truncus, meaning “trunk.” So next time you’re stumped about the meaning of truncate, try to picture, well, a stump.
Examples of truncate in a Sentence
Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
Analysts warned that leaving Ukraine truncated territorially won’t end its pro-West aspirations, and Putin may not tolerate that.
—Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Reminder of glass ceiling Kansas City’s lineup was a byproduct of its preseason schedule, which has been adjusted and truncated due to a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, starting on Feb. 18 versus Inter Miami.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 9 Feb. 2025
Brody grows most animated when talking about the grueling, truncated 34-day shoot, stabbing the air for emphasis.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 5 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for truncate
Cite this Entry
“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
truncate
1 of 2 adjective
truncate
2 of 2 verb
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