paring Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a thin fragment or slice (especially of wood) that has been shaved from something
    shaving; sliver.
  2. noun (usually plural) a part of a fruit or vegetable that is pared or cut off; especially the skin or peel
    • she could peel an apple with a single long paring
  3. verb decrease gradually or bit by bit
    pare down; pare.
  4. verb cut small bits or pare shavings from
    whittle; pare.
    • whittle a piece of wood
  5. verb strip the skin off
    pare; peel; skin.
    • pare apples
  6. verb remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size
    trim; pare.
    • pare one's fingernails
    • trim the photograph
    • trim lumber
  7. verb make a score (on a hole) equal to par
    par.

WordNet

Par"ing noun
Etymology
From Pare, v. t.
Definitions
  1. The act of cutting off the surface or extremites of anything.
  2. That which is pared off. Pope.
    Pare off the surface of the earth, and with the parings raise your hills. Mortimer.

Webster 1913