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pare

1. To cut off, or shave off, the superficial substance or extremities of; as, to pare an apple; to pare a horse's hoof.

2. To remove; to separate; to cut or shave, as the skin, ring, or outside part, from anything; followed by off or away; as; to pare off the ring of fruit; to pare away redundancies.

3. To diminish the bulk of; to reduce; to lessen. The king began to pare a little the privilege of clergy. (bacon)

Origin: F. Parer to pare, as a horse's hoofs, to dress or curry, as, leather, to clear, as anchors or cables, to parry, ward off, fr. L. Parare to prepare. Cf. Empire, Parade, Pardon, Parry, Prepare.