RETRENCHMENT

retrenchment, curtailment, downsizing

(noun) the reduction of expenditures in order to become financially stable

retrenchment

(noun) entrenchment consisting of an additional interior fortification to prolong the defense

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology 1

Noun

retrenchment (countable and uncountable, plural retrenchments)

A curtailment or reduction.

Synonyms: cutting down, diminution, lessening

Synonym: cutback

Usage notes

Sense 1.2 (“act of terminating the employment of a worker”) is common in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Africa, but uncommon in Britain and the United States.

Etymology 2

Noun

retrenchment (plural retrenchments)

(military, dated) A defensive work constructed within a fortification to make it more defensible by allowing defenders to retreat into and fight from it even after the enemy has taken the outer work.

Source: Wiktionary


Re*trench"ment, n. Etym: [Cf. F. retrenchment.]

1. The act or process of retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing. The retrenchment of my expenses will convince you that Walpole.

2. (Fort.)

Definition: A work constructed within another, to prolong the defense of the position when the enemy has gained possession of the outer work; or to protect the defenders till they can retreat or obtain terms for a capitulation.

Syn.

– Lessening; curtailment; diminution; reduction; abridgment.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

3 April 2025

WHOLE

(noun) an assemblage of parts that is regarded as a single entity; “how big is that part compared to the whole?”; “the team is a unit”


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Coffee Trivia

There are four varieties of commercially viable coffee: Arabica, Liberica, Excelsa, and Robusta. Growers predominantly plant the Arabica species. Although less popular, Robusta tastes slightly more bitter and contains more caffeine.

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