curtail
ker-TAYLverbMeaning to cut short or cut back
Memory hook CUR-TAIL: snip the TAIL off. Ten minutes into the picnic, a storm rolls in and snips the afternoon short like a tail: the rain curtails the picnic.
Rain curtailed the game after only three innings.
In context Because the bridge was closed for repairs, the bus company had to curtail its route, ending at the river instead of crossing into town.
Similar shorten, cut short, cut back, limit
Opposite extend, lengthen, prolong
From an old word, curtal, “with a docked tail,” from French court (short); the spelling was later shaped by tail.