Abridge

/əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive, archaic) To deprive; to cut off..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive, archaic) To deprive; to cut off.
2. (transitive, archaic, rare) To debar from.
3. (transitive) To make shorter; to shorten in duration or extent.
4. (transitive) To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense.
5. (transitive) Cut short; truncate.
6. (transitive) To curtail.

Example Sentences

She retired her self to Sebaste, and abridged her train from State to necessity.

The bridegroom, perceiving his condition, abridged the visit […]

It was still necessary for the man who had been formerly saluted by the highest authority as dictator of the English language to supply his wants by constant toil. He abridged his Dictionary. He proposed to bring out an edition of Shakespeare by subscription, and many subscribers sent in their names and laid down their money; but he soon found the task so little to his taste that he turned to more attractive employments.

Such an episode in the Island's grand naval story her naval historians naturally abridge; one of them (G.P.R. James) candidly acknowledging that fain would he pass it over did not "impartiality forbid fastidiousness."

He had his rights abridged by the crooked sheriff.

Synonyms for abridge

Antonyms for abridge

Related Words

Word Forms

• abridges
• abridging
• abridged

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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