'Trimming' definitions:

Definition of 'trimming'

noun

The act of adding decoration; "the children had to be in bed before it was time for the trimming of the tree"

noun

A decoration or adornment on a garment; "the trimming on a hat"; "the trim on a shirt" [syn: trimming, trim, passementerie]

noun

Cutting down to the desired size or shape [syn: trim, trimming, clipping]

From: GCIDE

Trim \Trim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Trimmed; p. pr. & vb. n. Trimming.] [OE. trimen, trumen, AS. trymian, trymman, to prepare, dispose, make strong, fr. trum firm, strong; of uncertain origin.]
1. To make trim; to put in due order for any purpose; to make right, neat, or pleasing; to adjust. [1913 Webster]
The hermit trimmed his little fire. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]
2. To dress; to decorate; to adorn; to invest; to embellish; as, to trim a hat. [1913 Webster]
A rotten building newly trimmed over. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
I was trimmed in Julia's gown. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
3. To make ready or right by cutting or shortening; to clip or lop; to curtail; as, to trim the hair; to trim a tree. " And trimmed the cheerful lamp." --Byron. [1913 Webster]
4. (Carp.) To dress, as timber; to make smooth. [1913 Webster]
5. (Naut.) (a) To adjust, as a ship, by arranging the cargo, or disposing the weight of persons or goods, so equally on each side of the center and at each end, that she shall sit well on the water and sail well; as, to trim a ship, or a boat. (b) To arrange in due order for sailing; as, to trim the sails. [1913 Webster]
6. To rebuke; to reprove; also, to beat. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]
To trim in (Carp.), to fit, as a piece of timber, into other work.
To trim up, to dress; to put in order. [1913 Webster]
I found her trimming up the diadem On her dead mistress. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Trimming \Trim"ming\, n.
1. The act of one who trims. [1913 Webster]
2. That which serves to trim, make right or fitting, adjust, ornament, or the like; especially, the necessary or the ornamental appendages, as of a garment; hence, sometimes, the concomitants of a dish; a relish; -- usually in the plural. [1913 Webster]
3. The act of reprimanding or chastisting; as, to give a boy a trimming. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Trimming \Trim"ming\, a. from Trim, v. [1913 Webster]
The Whigs are, essentially, an inefficient, trimming, halfway sort of a party. --Jeffrey. [1913 Webster]
Trimming joist (Arch.), a joist into which timber trimmers are framed; a header. See Header. --Knight. [1913 Webster]