dē-curto, no perf., ātum, 1 (only in the part. praes. and perf.), v. a., to cut off, curtail, mutilate. I. Lit.: radices
, Plin. 25, 5, 21, 53: amicum undique decurtatum, cum aures illi nasumque abscidisset, in cavea diu pavit
, Sen. Ira, 3, 17: peniculamenta canteriorum
, Arn. 5, p. 163.—II. Trop., of style: mutila sentit quaedam et quasi decurtata, Cic. Or. 53, 178.