trimTRIM, a. Firm; compact; tight; snug; being in good order. We say of a ship, she is trim, or trim-built; every thing about the man is trim. We say of a person, he is trim, when his body is well shaped and firm; and we say, his dress is trim, when it sits closely to his body and appears tight and snug; and of posture we say, a man or a soldier is trim, when he stands erect. It is particularly applicable to soldiers, and in Saxon, truma is a troop or body of soldiers. TRIM, v.t. 10. To rebuke; to reprove sharply; a popular use of the word. 11. To arrange in due order for sailing; as, to trim the sails. To trim in, in carpentry, to fit, as a piece of timber into other work. To trip up, to dress; to put in order. TRIM, v.i. To balance; to fluctuate between parties, so as to appear to favor each. TRIM, n. Dress; gear; ornaments. Trim of the masts, is their position in regard to the ship and to each other, as near or distant,far forward or much aft, erect or raking. Trim of sails, is that position and arrangement which is best adapted to impel the ship forward. |