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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.
Synonyms
Examples of truncate in a Sentence
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
When he is remembered, his story is heavily truncated.
—Naima Cochrane, VIBE.com, 23 Jan. 2025
But analysts note that Tesla’s sales and profits would be hit hard if Mr. Trump successfully repealed or truncated the electric-vehicle tax credit, California’s clean-air waiver and other such policies.
—Jack Ewing, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
The Rams truncated Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell’s play sheet as a result, but the loss numbers also illustrated how deep Darnold kept getting into his drops which in turn illustrated the longer-developing route concepts the Rams predicted the Vikings would stay latched onto.
—Jourdan Rodrigue, The Athletic, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for truncate 
Dictionary Entries Near truncate
Cite this Entry
“Truncate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truncate. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
truncate
1 of 2 adjective
truncate
2 of 2 verb
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