trimmer

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. One that trims: a window trimmer.
2. n. A device or machine, such as a lumber trimmer, that is used for trimming.
3. n. One who changes one's opinions, especially in politics, to suit the needs of the moment.
4. n. Electronics A variable component used to make fine adjustments to capacity or resistance.
5. n. Architecture A beam across an opening, such as a hearth, into which the ends of joists can be fitted.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In wood-working, a large power-saw table for trimming lumber. The surface of the table has a series of feed-chains that bring the lumber laid on the table to a gang of saws placed in a row at the back of the table. Each saw is hung on a balanced frame called a ladder, and in the normal position is idle under the table. Each ladder is controlled by a foot-pedal, and to use the machine two or more pedals are touched, bringing a group of saws into action above the top of the table. The lumber to be trimmed is then laid on the feed-chains and is carried to the saws, cut, and delivered at. the outboard side of the table. To trim to other dimensions other groups of saws are brought into action, the number of combinations being sufficient for a large range of work. A ten-saw machine is 7 feet 6 inches wide and 22 feet long. Another type of machine employs saws suspended above the table and is called an over-cut trimmer. In electricity: One who renews the carbons in arc-lamps and adjusts the lamps for further service. Elect. Rev., Sept. 3, 1904, p. 332. An implement for cutting the worn ends of metallic dynamo brushes.
2. n. One who or that which trims, in any sense of the word. One who arranges or disposes; one who puts or keeps in place: as, a grain -trimmer.
3. n. One who adjusts as to poise or balance.
4. n. One who finishes with trimming; one who decorates or embellishes: as, a coat-trimmer; a bonnet -trimmer.
5. n. One who cuts, clips, prunes, or pares; specifically, in old use, a barber.
6. n. A tool used for clipping, pruning, or paring: as, a nail-trimmer; a wick-trimmer; specifically, a knife or cutting-tool of various forms for trimming the edges of photographs previous to mounting them on cardboard; also, a form of paper-cutter used in bookbinding for trimming the edges of books.
7. n. One who does not openly incline to either side in a contest between parties; hence, one who tries to curry favor with both or with all parties; a time-server. The name was originally given, in English politics, to a party which followed the Marquis of Halifax, during the period from about 1680 to 1690, in trimming between the Whigs and the Tories.
8. n. In architecture, a piece of timber inserted in a roof, floor, wooden partition, or the like to support the ends of any of the joists, rafters, etc. See cut under joist.
9. n. One who chastises or reprimands; a sharp, severe person; a strict disciplinarian; also, that by which a reprimand or chastisement is administered; hence, in general, something decisive; a settler.

Wiktionary

1. adj. comparative form of trim: more trim
2. n. One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
3. n. A device used to trim.
4. n. nautical a member of the crew who trims the sails.
5. n. Someone who fluctuates between opposing factions, political parties etc., according to current interest.
6. n. architecture A beam into which are framed the ends of headers in floor framing, as when a hole is to be left for stairs, or to avoid bringing joists near chimneys.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
2. n. One who does not adopt extreme opinions in politics, or the like; one who fluctuates between parties, so as to appear to favor each; a timeserver.
3. n. An instrument with which trimming is done.
4. n. (Arch.) A beam, into which are framed the ends of headers in floor framing, as when a hole is to be left for stairs, or to avoid bringing joists near chimneys, and the like. See Illust. of Header.
5. n. (Coal Storage) An apparatus used for piling the coal in gradually increasing piles made by building up at the point of the cone or top of the prism.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a machine that trims timber
2. n. capacitor having variable capacitance; used for making fine adjustments
3. n. a worker who thins out and trims trees and shrubs
4. n. joist that receives the end of a header in floor or roof framing in order to leave an opening for a staircase or chimney etc.