Word: pare (verb)

Associations

The word "pare" means to cut away the outer layer or edges of something, usually something small like fruit or vegetables. It often involves using a small knife or tool to remove thin pieces.

• Example 1: "Please pare the apple before eating it." Here, "pare" means to remove the apple's skin.
• Example 2: "He pared the crust off the bread." This means he cut off the outer crust.
• Example 3: "She pared down the budget to save money." In this case, "pare" means to reduce or cut something carefully.

A well-known synonym is "peel," but "peel" usually means removing the skin by hand or in larger pieces, while "pare" suggests careful, small cuts or trimming.

Substitution

Instead of "pare," you can say:

• "peel" (for removing skin, but less precise cutting)
• "trim" (for cutting edges or unwanted parts)
• "shave off" (for very thin layers)
• "cut down" or "reduce" (when using "pare" in a more abstract sense, like reducing a budget)

Each word changes the meaning slightly. For example, "trim" can be used for hair or plants, not just food.

Deconstruction

"Pare" comes from the Old French word "parer," meaning "to prepare" or "to make ready." It is related to the Latin "parare," which means "to prepare." The word suggests making something neat by removing unwanted parts.

No prefix or suffix here; "pare" is a simple verb.

Inquiry

• Can you think of other things besides fruit or vegetables that you might "pare"?
• How is "pare" different from "cut" or "slice"?
• Have you ever had to "pare" something carefully? What was it, and why did you need to be careful?