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whittle definition

whit·tle (hwit′'l, wit′'l)

transitive verb whittled -·tled, whittling -·tling

    1. to cut or pare thin shavings from (wood) with a knife
    2. to make or fashion (an object) in this manner
  2. to reduce, destroy, or get rid of gradually, as if by whittling away with a knife: usually with down, away, etc. to whittle down the cost of a project

Etymology: < obs. whittle, a knife < ME whyttel, var. of thwitel, dim. < OE thwitan, to cut < IE base *twei-, to strike, cut

intransitive verb

to whittle wood; often, specif., to cut away aimlessly at a stick, etc.

noun

Obsolete a large knife

Related Forms:

Whittle definition

Whit·tle (hwit′'l, wit′-)

Whittle, Sir Frank 1907-96; Eng. engineer & pioneer developer of jet propulsion engines

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