paring

Verb

pare (third-person singular simple present pares, present participle paring, simple past and past participle pared)

1. (transitive) To remove the outer covering or skin of something with a cutting device, typically a knife.
   • Victor pared some apples in preparation to make a tart.
2. (transitive, often with down or back) To reduce, diminish or trim gradually something as if by cutting off.
   • Albert had to pare his options down by disregarding anything beyond his meager budget.
3. To trim the hoof of a horse.
4. (Ireland, slang) To sharpen a pencil.

See all 5 meanings of pare