definitions

abridge

[ uh-brij ]
/ əˈbrɪdʒ /
||
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verb (used with object), a·bridged, a·bridg·ing.

to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book.
to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one's freedom.
to deprive; cut off.

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RELATED WORDS

curtail, abbreviate, truncate, trim, snip, cut, clip, lessen, abstract, reduce, condense, contract, downsize, restrict, concentrate, decrease, slash, diminish, limit, summarize

Nearby words

abrazo, abreact, abreaction, abreast, abri, abridge, abridgment, abrin, abristle, abroach, abroad

Origin of abridge

1350–1400; Middle English abreggen, abriggen < Middle French abreg(i)er < Late Latin abbreviāre to shorten. See a-4, abbreviate

SYNONYMS FOR abridge

1 cut down; epitomize; condense, abstract, digest. See shorten.
2 contract, reduce.
3 divest.
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Related forms

a·bridg·a·ble, a·bridge·a·ble, adjectivea·bridg·er, nounnon·a·bridg·a·ble, adjectivere·a·bridge, verb (used with object), re·a·bridged, re·a·bridg·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for abridge

British Dictionary definitions for abridge

abridge

/ (əˈbrɪdʒ) /

verb (tr)

to reduce the length of (a written work) by condensing or rewriting
to curtail; diminish
archaic to deprive of (privileges, rights, etc)

Derived Forms

abridgable or abridgeable, adjectiveabridger, noun

Word Origin for abridge

C14: via Old French abregier from Late Latin abbreviāre to shorten
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012