trimmer

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

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

from The Century Dictionary.

• noun In wood-working, a large power-saw table for trimming lumber.
• noun One who or that which trims, in any sense of the word.
• noun One who adjusts as to poise or balance.
• noun One who finishes with trimming; one who decorates or embellishes: as, a coat-trimmer; a bonnet -trimmer.
• noun One who cuts, clips, prunes, or pares; specifically, in old use, a barber.
• noun 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.
• noun 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.
• noun 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.
• noun 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.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

• noun One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
• noun 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.
• noun An instrument with which trimming is done.
• noun (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.
• noun (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.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

• adjective comparative form of trim: more trim
• noun One who trims, arranges, fits, or ornaments.
• noun A device used to trim.
• noun nautical a member of the crew who trims the sails.
• noun Someone who fluctuates between opposing factions, political parties etc., according to current interest.
• noun 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.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

• noun a machine that trims timber
• noun capacitor having variable capacitance; used for making fine adjustments
• noun a worker who thins out and trims trees and shrubs
• noun 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.