To whittle something is to reduce it gradually or to make it smaller and weaker. You might whittle down a tree with a saw, or you might whittle away at your argument with a friend.
He whittled the stick down to a fraction of its original size.
She whittled away at the argument until it was resolved.
verb
cut small bits or pare shavings from
Synonyms:
noun
English aeronautical engineer who invented the jet aircraft engine (1907-1996)
Synonyms:
1
This is whittled by the carpenter.
2
The sculpture is whittled by a famous sculptor.
3
Whittle is in the centre of the back row.
4
That should whittle the list down nicely.
5
He whittles a log and makes a toy.
6
Grandpa whittled the wood to make a doll.
7
I tried to whittle the wood to make a pensil.
8
She whittles an apple to decorate her dish.
9
Among the verbs similarly preserved are to whittle, to wilt and to approbate.
10
Multiple drafts of the budget may be required to whittle down costs.