truncated

/ˈtrʌŋˌkeɪtɪd/

Truncated is an adjective that means "cut short," like a truncated picnic, caused by the sudden downpour.

The word comes from the root truncate, which is of Latin origin, and means "cut off." When an object is truncated, its end or point is cut off, like a truncated arrow that is safe for kids to play with. Truncated can also refer to something that ends earlier than planned — everyone was angry at the truncated concert until they learned that the singer had broken his leg when he fell on stage.

Definitions of truncated

1. adjective

   cut short in duration
   “an unsatisfactory truncated conversation”

   synonyms: abbreviated, shortened

   short

   primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
2. adjective

   terminating abruptly by having or as if having an end or point cut off
   “truncated volcanic mountains”

   “a truncated pyramid”

   synonyms: truncate

   short

   (primarily spatial sense) having little length or lacking in length