Accurtation

/ˌækərˈteɪʃən/ noun

Definition

An archaic or obsolete term for shortening, curtailment, or the act of making something shorter.

Etymology

From Latin accurtatio, from accurtare 'to shorten,' composed of ad- plus curtus 'short.' This legal/administrative term was used in medieval English but fell out of use.

Kelly Says

This word survives mainly in historical legal documents where clerks needed fancy terms for 'making things shorter'—it shows how medieval bureaucrats loved Latin-based terminology to sound authoritative!

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