whittlewhit•tle /'wɪtl/

vt

1. 削

• whittle a branch 削一个树枝

2. 削制，削成

• whittle a handle from a branch 把树枝削成手柄

3. 削减，削弱

• Inflation has whittled away their savings. 通货膨胀蚕食了他们的积蓄。

• The number of employees is being slowly whittled down in order to reduce costs. 雇员人数正在逐渐削减，以降低成本。

vi 削；削木头；削成形

• whittle at rubber pieces 削橡皮块