• (n.) The scroll termination of any architectural member, as of a step, etc. • (v. t.) To cut off the end or tail, or any part, of; to shorten; to abridge; to diminish; to reduce. Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning/curtail/
Cur·tail' (kŭr*tāl') transitive verb [ imperfect & past participle Curtailed (- tāld'); present participle & verbal noun Curtailing .] [ See Curtal .] To cut off the end or tail, or any part, of; to shorten; t... Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/C/205