curtail
v.to make something shorter or smaller, especially by cutting off a part of it. In architecture, it means to cut back a wall or a structure to make it shorter.
v.to shorten or reduce in size, extent, or duration. In an architectural context, it refers to the act of cutting back a wall or structural element to a specific height or length.
“The architect decided to curtail the height of the building.”
“To create a more open floor plan, the builders had to curtail the original stone wall at the first floor.”
“The restoration project required the careful curtailment of the original timber frame to match the proportions of the surrounding medieval structures without compromising the building's structural integrity.”
“President Trump wants to curtail military exercises with South Korea, saying they were hostile to North Korea.”
“President Trump’s decision to curtail the military exercises came as allies question the U.S.”
Alteration of curtal, from Old French courtault (“which has been shortened”), itself from court (“short”) (from Latin curtus) + -ault
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.