v., n., & adj.
--v. (trimmed, trimming)
1. tr. a set in good order. b make neat or of the required size or form, esp. by cutting away irregular or unwanted parts.
2 tr. (foll. by off, away) remove by cutting off (such parts).
3 tr. a (often foll. by up) make (a person) neat in dress and appearance. b ornament or decorate (esp. clothing, a hat, etc. by adding ribbons, lace, etc.).
4 tr. adjust the balance of (a ship or aircraft) by the arrangement of its cargo etc.
5 tr. arrange (sails) to suit the wind.
6 intr. a associate oneself with currently prevailing views, esp. to advance oneself. b hold a middle course in politics or opinion.
7 tr. colloq. a rebuke sharply. b thrash. c get the better of in a bargain etc.
--n.
1. the state or degree of readiness or fitness (found everything in perfect trim).
2 ornament or decorative material.
3 dress or equipment.
4 the act of trimming a person's hair.
5 the inclination of an aircraft to the horizontal.
--adj.
1. neat or spruce.
2 in good order; well arranged or equipped.
Phrases and idioms:
in trim 1 looking smart, healthy, etc.
2 Naut. in good order.
Derivatives:
trimly adv. trimness n.
Etymology: perh. f. OE trymman, trymian make firm, arrange: but there is no connecting evidence between OE and 1500