whittle

vt. 逐渐削薄, 削整, 削弱, 削减
vi. 削木头
n. 大刀, 屠刀

名词:whittler 动词过去式:whittled 过去分词:whittled 现在分词:whittling 第三人称单数:whittles 

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）