Cropping
/ˈkrɒp.ɪŋ/noun
The act of cutting something short or trimming it; in agriculture, the growing or harvesting of crops.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from a root meaning “something cut off,” which is why related forms spread into both farming and trimming long before modern editing tools.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ger- / *ker-
“A base associated with turning, bending, or projecting; the exact prehistory of the English word is debated.”
Old English
OE
cropp
“A top, tuft, bunch, or the head of a plant or bird.”
Middle English
ME
croppe
“The top, summit, or the produce of the field; later also to cut off the top.”
15th Century
English
cropen / croppe(n)
“To cut short, trim, or remove the top part of something.”
Modern English
English
cropping
“The act of trimming, cutting, or harvesting crops; also the ongoing process of cutting images or removing parts.”