whittle

名词 whittle:

1. English aeronautical engineer who invented the jet aircraft engine (1907-1996)
   同义词：Frank Whittle, Sir Frank Whittle

动词 whittle:

1. cut small bits or pare shavings from
   同义词：pare

1. Don't whittle the stick down too much or it won't be long enough.
   别把那棍削得太多，不然就不够长了。
2. Make this plug smaller for me, but don't whittle away too much.
   帮我把这个塞子弄小一点，但木头不要削掉太多。

whit.tle

v.（动词）
whit.tled,whit.tling,whit.tles
v.tr.（及物动词）

To cut small bits or pare shavings from (a piece of wood).
削：从（一块木头）上切下小片或削去皮
To fashion or shape in this way:
削制，削成：用这种方式制成或使…成形：
例句：
whittle a toy boat.
削制成玩具船

To reduce or eliminate gradually, as if by whittling with a knife:
削弱，削减：好象用刀子削一样逐渐地减少或消除：
例句：
whittled down the debt by making small payments.
通过小额支付来削减债务

v.intr.（不及物动词）
To cut or shape wood with a knife.
用刀削：用刀子削木头或使木头成形

来源：
From Middle English whyttel [knife]
源自 中古英语 whyttel [刀子]
variant of thwitel
thwitel的变体
from thwiten [to whittle]
源自 thwiten [削]
from Old English thwotan [to strike, whittle down]
源自 古英语 thwotan [打击，削减]

【引伸】
whit.tler
n.（名词）