abridgment

Or a·bridge·ment

[uh-brij-muhnt]

noun

1. a shortened or condensed form of a book, speech, etc., that still retains the basic contents.

   an abridgment of Tolstoy's War and Peace.

   Synonyms: outline, brief, syllabus, conspectus, précis, summary, abstract, synopsis, compendium, epitome, digest
   Antonyms: enlargement, expansion

2. the act or process of abridging.

   Synonyms: compression, contraction, shortening, reduction
   Antonyms: enlargement, expansion

3. the state of being abridged.

4. reduction or curtailment.

   abridgment of civil rights.

abridgment

/ əˈbrɪdʒmənt /

noun

1. a shortened version of a written work

2. the act of abridging or state of being abridged

Other Word Forms

• nonabridgment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of abridgment¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English abreg(g)ement, abrygement, from Middle French abregement; abridge, -ment

Example Sentences

“Article IV: Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.”

From Salon

The Supreme Court ruled without dissenting opinions that the law did not violate the US Constitution's First Amendment protection against government abridgment of free speech.

From BBC

Democratic National Committee decision in 2021, banned any voting measure that "results in a denial or abridgment of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race."

From Salon

Section 2 bans any voting procedure that “results in a denial or abridgment of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race.”

From New York Times

But another clause of the Constitution, which the court relegates to a footnote, protects the “privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States” against state abridgment.

From Washington Post