truncate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb replace a corner by a plane
  2. verb approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one
    • truncate a series
  3. verb make shorter as if by cutting off
    cut short.
    • truncate a word
    • Erosion has truncated the ridges of the mountains
  4. adjective satellite terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off
    truncated.
    • a truncate leaf
    • truncated volcanic mountains
    • a truncated pyramid

WordNet

Trun"cate transitive verb
Etymology
L. truncatus, p. p. of truncare to cut off, mutilate, fr. truncus maimed, mutilated, cut short. See Trunk.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Truncated ; present participle & verbal noun Truncating
Definitions
  1. To cut off; to lop; to maim.
Trun"cate adjective
Etymology
L. truncatus, p. p.
Definitions
  1. Appearing as if cut off at the tip; as, a truncate leaf or feather.

Webster 1913