Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Retrench \Re*trench"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retrenched}; p. pr.
   & vb. n. {Retrenching}.] [OF. retrenchier, F. retrancher;
   pref. re- re- + OF. trenchier, F. trancher, to cut. See
   {Trench}.]
   1. To cut off; to pare away.

            Thy exuberant parts retrench.         --Denham.

   2. To lessen; to abridge; to curtail; as, to retrench
      superfluities or expenses.

            But this thy glory shall be soon retrenched.
                                                  --Milton.

   3. To confine; to limit; to restrict. --Addison.

            These figures, ought they then to receive a
            retrenched interpretation?            --I. Taylor.

   4. (Fort.) To furnish with a retrenchment; as, to retrench
      bastions.

   Syn: To lesen; diminish; curtail; abridge.