blue-pencil

[ bloo-pen-suh l ]
/ ˈbluˈpɛn səl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR blue-pencil ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), blue-pen·ciled, blue-pen·cil·ing or (especially British) blue-pen·cilled, blue-pen·cil·ling.

to alter, abridge, or cancel with or as with a pencil that has blue lead, as in editing a manuscript.

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DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of blue-pencil

First recorded in 1885–90

Words nearby blue-pencil

blue-green algae, blue-headed vireo, blue-jeaned, blue-leg, blue-on-blue, blue-pencil, blue-red, blue-ribbon, blue-ribbon jury, blue-ringed octopus, blue-rinse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to blue pencil

restriction, suppression, blackout, invalidate, annul, veto, void, undo, abolish, restrict, quash, offset, negate, abrogate, repeal, rescind, torpedo, annihilate, expunge, exterminate

British Dictionary definitions for blue pencil

blue pencil

noun

deletion, alteration, or censorship of the contents of a book or other work

verb blue-pencil -cils, -cilling or -cilled or US -cils, -ciling or -ciled

(tr) to alter or delete parts of (a book, film, etc), esp to censor
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