excerpt

[ek-surpt, ik-surpt, ek-surpt]

noun

1. a passage or quotation taken or selected from a book, document, film, or the like; extract.

   Synonyms: part, section, portion, selection

verb (used with object)

1. to take or select (a passage) from a book, film, or the like; extract.

2. to take or select passages from (a book, film, or the like); abridge by choosing representative sections.

excerpt

noun

1. a part or passage taken from a book, speech, play, etc, and considered on its own; extract

verb

1. (tr) to take (a part or passage) from a book, speech, play, etc

Other Word Forms

• excerpter noun
• excerptor noun
• excerptible adjective
• excerption noun
• unexcerpted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excerpt¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin excerptus “picked out,” past participle of excerpere “to pick out, pluck out,” from ex- ex- ¹ + -cerpere, combining form of carpere “to pluck”

Word History and Origins

Origin of excerpt¹

C17: from Latin excerptum, literally: (something) picked out, from excerpere to select, from carpere to pluck

Example Sentences

“Most of what I wrote’s what I’d call personal, but I did include some thrilling excerpts from my pirate play. It’s quite a tale, if I do say so myself.”

Read more on Literature

During the 21-minute performance, the band opened with an excerpt from Bohemian Rhapsody, before transitioning into an accelerated rendition of Radio Ga Ga, as the audience clapped in unison with Mercury.

Read more on BBC

“Come See Me in the Good Light” features excerpts from several of Gibson’s poems and the pieces are all beautiful and meaningful.

Read more on Salon

Throughout its episodes lurk excerpts of dialogue enumerating frustration about the state of the world that could be mistaken for modern complaints.

Read more on Salon

TikTok will not broadcast entire episodes but excerpts, similar to what most successful podcasts already make available, some garnering several million views each time.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• extract 
• fragment 
• passage 
• piece 
• portion 
• quotation 
• selection