To remove fine shavings with a knife, chisel, or other cutting instrument Paring fine shavings by cutting is distinguished from scraping fine shavings: Paring is usually limited to a small part of a surface, scraping is most often used for more accurate smoothing when applied to a large surface area
To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's hoof
decrease gradually or bit by bit remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size; "pare one's fingernails"; "trim the photograph"; "trim lumber
If you pare something down or back, or if you pare it, you reduce it. The number of Ministries has been pared down by a third The luxury tax won't really do much to pare down the budget deficit Local authorities must pare their budgets
remove the edges from and cut down to the desired size; "pare one's fingernails"; "trim the photograph"; "trim lumber"
When you pare something, or pare part of it off or away, you cut off its skin or its outer layer. Pare the brown skin from the meat with a very sharp knife He took out a slab of cheese, pared off a slice and ate it hastily. thinly pared lemon rind. see also paring