What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Shear vs Trim - What's the difference?

shear | trim |

As verbs the difference between shear and trim

is that shear is to cut, originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with shears, or as if using shears while trim is 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.

As nouns the difference between shear and trim

is that shear is a cutting tool similar to scissors, but often larger while trim is decoration; especially, decoration placed along edges or borders.

As adjectives the difference between shear and trim

is that shear is misspelling of lang=en while trim is physically fit.

As an adverb trim is

in good order, properly managed or maintained.

shear

English

(wikipedia shear)

Verb

  • To cut, originally with a sword or other bladed weapon, now usually with shears, or as if using shears.
  • * 1819 , Walter Scott, Ivanhoe :
  • So trenchant was the Templar’s weapon, that it shore asunder, as it had been a willow twig, the tough and plaited handle of the mace, which the ill-fated Saxon reared to parry the blow, and, descending on his head, levelled him with the earth.
  • * Shakespeare
  • the golden tresses were shorn away
  • To remove the fleece from a sheep etc by clipping.
  • (physics) To deform because of shearing forces.
  • (Scotland) To reap, as grain.
  • (Jamieson)
  • (figurative) To deprive of property; to fleece.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • a cutting tool similar to scissors, but often larger
  • * Dryden
  • short of the wool, and naked from the shear
  • the act of shearing, or something removed by shearing
  • * Youatt
  • After the second shearing, he is a two-shear' ram; at the expiration of another year, he is a three-' shear ram; the name always taking its date from the time of shearing.
  • (physics) a force that produces a shearing strain
  • (geology) The response of a rock to deformation usually by compressive stress, resulting in particular textures.
  • Derived terms

    * megashear * shearer

    Adjective

    (head)
  • 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

    * ----