curtailment
UK[kɜːˈteɪlmənt]US[kɜːrˈteɪlmənt]
n
the action of making something shorter or smaller; the fact of being made shorter or smaller.
n
the act of restricting or limiting something.
Morpheme Breakdown
curtail
ment
curtail
shortened
ment
Etymology
the word 'curtailment' originates from the late 16th century, built upon the verb 'curtail'. 'curtail' itself entered english from the middle french 'courtault', meaning 'with a docked tail', which derives from the latin adjective 'curtus', signifying 'shortened' or 'cut off'. the latin 'curtus' is believed to be of possible proto-indo-european origin, related to the concept of cutting. the suffix '-ment', of latin origin, is a productive noun-forming element indicating an action or its result. therefore, the literal construction 'curtail + ment' logically yields the abstract noun meaning 'the action or result of cutting short or reducing'.
Analysis
Structure: curtail + ment
curtail: from middle french 'courtault' meaning 'shortened', itself from latin 'curtus' (short). functions as the core root conveying the sense of cutting short.
ment: from latin '-mentum', a suffix forming nouns that denote the action or result of an action. functions as a noun-forming suffix.
Examples
the budget necessitated a sharp curtailment of public services.
the curtailment of civil liberties during the crisis was widely debated.
energy curtailment measures were implemented to prevent a blackout.