• (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.
curb verb place restrictions on; `curtail drinking in school`
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...
Cur'tail noun The scroll termination of any architectural member, as of a step, etc. 
make shorter then was planned 
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end