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Shave vs Trim - What's the difference?

shave | trim |

In transitive terms the difference between shave and trim

is that shave is to cut finely, as with slices of meat while trim is to decorate or adorn; especially, to decorate a Christmas tree.

As an adjective trim is

physically fit.

As an adverb trim is

in good order, properly managed or maintained.

shave

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) shaven, schaven, from (etyl) , (etyl) skafa.

Verb

  • To make bald by using a tool such as a razor or pair of electric clippers to cut the hair close to the skin.
  • To cut anything in this fashion.
  • The labourer with the bending scythe is seen / Shaving the surface of the waving green.
  • To remove hair from one's face by this means.
  • I had little time to shave this morning.
  • To cut finely, as with slices of meat.
  • To skim along or near the surface of; to pass close to, or touch lightly, in passing.
  • * Milton
  • Now shaves with level wing the deep.
  • * 1899 ,
  • (archaic) To be hard and severe in a bargain with; to practice extortion on; to cheat.
  • (US, slang, dated, transitive) To buy (a note) at a discount greater than the legal rate of interest, or to deduct in discounting it more than the legal rate allows.
  • Derived terms
    * aftershave * reshave * shave brush / shaving brush * shaving bump * shave cream / shaving cream * shave foam / shaving foam * shave down * shave off * shaveling * unshaved

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) sceafa

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An instance of shaving.
  • I instructed the barber to give me a shave .
  • A thin slice; a shaving.
  • (Wright)
  • (US, slang, dated) An exorbitant discount on a note.
  • (US, slang, dated) A premium paid for an extension of the time of delivery or payment, or for the right to vary a stock contract in any particular.
  • A hand tool consisting of a sharp blade with a handle at each end; a spokeshave.
  • Derived terms
    * close shave

    Anagrams

    *

    trim

    English

    (wikipedia trim)

    Verb

  • To reduce slightly; to cut; especially, to remove excess; e.g. 'trim a hedge', 'trim a beard'. The adposition of can be used in present perfect tense to designate the removed part.
  • (present perfect example)
  • To decorate or adorn; especially, to decorate a Christmas tree.
  • * Milton
  • A rotten building newly trimmed over.
  • * Shakespeare
  • I was trimmed in Julia's gown.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
  • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=1 citation , passage=The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. […]  The bed was the most extravagant piece.  Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.}}
  • (nautical) To modify the angle of a vessel to the water by shifting cargo or ballast; to adjust for sailing; to assume, or cause a vessel to assume, a certain position, or trim, in the water. (FM 55-501).
  • * 1883 ,
  • The captain made us trim the boat, and we got her to lie a little more evenly.
  • (nautical) To modify the angle of a vessel's sails relative to the wind, especially to set the sails to the most advantageous angle.
  • (dated) To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favour each.
  • To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust.
  • * Goldsmith
  • The hermit trimmed his little fire.
  • (carpentry) To dress (timber); to make smooth.
  • (dated) To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (uncountable) Decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.
  • Paint the house white with blue trim .
  • (countable) A haircut, especially a moderate one to touch up an existing style.
  • I went to the hairdresser for a trim but came back nearly bald.
  • Dress; gear; ornaments.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • seeing him just pass the window in his woodland trim
  • (countable) The manner in which something is equipped or adorned; order; disposition.
  • The car comes in three different trims .
    to be in good trim
    (Chapman)
  • Sexual intercourse.
  • (nautical) The fore-and-aft angle of the vessel to the water, with reference to the cargo and ballast; the manner in which a vessel floats on the water, whether on an even keel or down by the head or stern.
  • (nautical) The arrangement of the sails with reference to the wind.
  • Adjective

    (trimmer)
  • Physically fit.
  • :
  • Slender, lean.
  • :
  • Neat or smart in appearance.
  • :
  • *1599 , (William Shakespeare), (Much Ado About Nothing) ,
  • *:manhood is melted into curtsies, valour into compliment, and men are only turned into tongue, and trim ones too: he is now as valiant as Hercules that only tells a lie and swears it.
  • *
  • *:“A tight little craft,” was Austin’s invariable comment on the matron; and she looked it, always trim and trig and smooth of surface like a converted yacht cleared for action. ¶ Near her wandered her husband, orientally bland, invariably affable,.
  • Adverb

    (-)
  • (nautical) In good order, properly managed or maintained.
  • (nautical) With sails well trimmed.
  • Usage notes

    * More often used in combinations, eg, "trim-sailed".

    Anagrams

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