pare

Universal Words verb [VN] 1 ~ sth (off / away) to remove the thin outer layer of sth: First, pare the rind from the lemon. * She pared the apple. * He pared away the excess glue with a razor blade. 2 ~ sth (back / down) to gradually reduce the size or amount: The training budget has been pared back to a minimum. * The workforce has been pared to the bone (= reduced to the lowest possible level). 3 (especially BrE) to cut away the edges of sth, especially your nails, in order to make them smooth and neat seealsoPARINGS