trɪm v., n., & adj. --v. (trimmed, trimming) 1 tr. a set in
good order. b
make neat or of
the required size or
form,
esp. by
cutting away irregular or
unwanted parts. 2 tr. (foll. by
off, away)
remove by cutting off (such parts). 3 tr. a (often foll. by up) make (a person) neat in
dress and appearance. b
ornament or
decorate (esp.
clothing, a
hat, etc. by adding ribbons,
lace, etc.). 4 tr.
adjust the
balance of (a
ship or aircraft) by the
arrangement of
its cargo etc. 5 tr.
arrange (sails) to
suit the wind. 6 intr. a
associate oneself with currently prevailing views, esp. to
advance oneself. b hold a
middle course in
politics or
opinion. 7 tr. colloq. a
rebuke sharply. b
thrash. c
get the better of in a
bargain etc. --n. 1 the
state or
degree of readiness or fitness (found
everything in
perfect trim). 2 ornament or
decorative material. 3 dress or
equipment. 4 the
act of
trimming a person's
hair. 5 the
inclination of an
aircraft to the
horizontal. --adj. 1 neat or spruce. 2 in good order; well arranged or equipped. øin trim 1 looking
smart,
healthy, etc. 2 Naut. in good order. øøtrimly adv. trimness n. [perh. f. OE trymman, trymian make firm, arrange: but
there is no connecting
evidence between OE and 1500]