Pare Meaning
/pɛə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo remove the outer covering or skin of something with a cutting device, typically a knife.
verbTo reduce, diminish or trim gradually something as if by cutting off.
Sentence Examples
Pare, core and slice two quarts of apples.
Choose large apples of uniform size; pare, core and cook until tender in syrup.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She used a sharp knife to ____ the apple's thin skin.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She used a small knife to ____ the apple before slicing it into thin pieces for the salad.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English paren, from Old French parer (“to arrange, prepare, trim”), from Latin parō (“to prepare, arrange; to provide, furnish; to resolve, purpose”) (related to pariō (“to bear, to give birth to; to spawn, produce, beget; to procure, acquire”)), from a Proto-Indo-European *per- (“to bring forward, bring forth”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Also referring to the deeds of certain Border Ruffians, he said, rapidly paring away his speech, like an experienced soldier, keeping a reserve of force and meaning, “They had a perfect right to be hung.”"
— 1859, Henry David Thoreau, A Plea for Captain John Brown:
"From May 29 another 10 min. are being pared from the southbound journey, and the time over the 504.4 miles from Paris to Hendaye will come down to 6 hr. 58 min., an average of 72.4 m.p.h. with two intermediate stops."
— 1960 April, “The European Summer Timetables”, in Trains Illustrated, page 223:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
She used a sharp knife to ____ the apple's thin skin.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She used a small knife to ____ the apple before slicing it into thin pieces for the salad.