WHITTLING AWAY Meaning and
Definition
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Whittling away is a phrase that is often used metaphorically to describe the gradual and continuous erosion or reduction of something, usually in relation to the weakening or diminishing of a physical or abstract entity. It implies a slow and deliberate process of reduction, often achieved through repeated small actions or the progressive removal of something.
In a literal sense, whittling away refers to the act of carving or shaping wood by the technique of removing small shavings with a knife. Similarly, when used figuratively, it suggests the steady and persistent chipping away of a larger whole in order to refine or lessen it. This could be applied to various contexts, such as the gradual decrease of a material substance, the gradual decay or deterioration of an object or concept, or the gradual weakening of a person's physical or mental state.
The term emphasizes the gradual nature of the process, highlighting how the effect is achieved incrementally over time rather than through a sudden, drastic change. Whittling away often conveys a sense of subtlety and inconspicuousness, as the changes occurring may be overlooked until the accumulated impact becomes noticeable or substantial.
Overall, "whittling away" describes a process of gradually diminishing or reducing something, where small, repetitive actions or erosive forces gradually wear away or lessen the original entity.
Common Misspellings for WHITTLING AWAY
- qhittling away
- ahittling away
- shittling away
- ehittling away
- 3hittling away
- 2hittling away
- wgittling away
- wbittling away
- wnittling away
- wjittling away
- wuittling away
- wyittling away
- whuttling away
- whjttling away
- whkttling away
- whottling away
- wh9ttling away
- wh8ttling away
- whirtling away
Etymology of WHITTLING AWAY
The word "whittling" can be traced back to the Old English term "hwit" (also spelled "hwitt"), which meant "white" or "bright". It referred to the action of carving or cutting away small chips or shavings from a piece of wood. The term "away" simply signifies the act of removing or reducing something gradually or bit by bit. Therefore, the expression "whittling away" originated from the practice of gradually and steadily carving away small portions of wood. Over time, it extended its meaning metaphorically to describe the gradual reduction or erosion of something, typically in a slow and steady manner.
