excerpt

American  

[ek-surpt, ik-surpt, ek-surpt] / ˈɛk sɜrpt, ɪkˈsɜrpt, ˈɛk sɜrpt /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   part , section , portion , selection

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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 British  

noun

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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of excerpt

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”

Example Sentences

In an excerpt published in the Sun, the singer described her former bandmate's departure as "traumatic".

From BBC

Audio excerpts also revealed him talking about being in an affair and telling colleagues they could work with him if they took part in group sex.

From Reuters

American prosecutors filed an audio excerpt and transcript with the federal court.

From Seattle Times

This week, another Mediaset satirical current affairs television show broadcast off-air video excerpts from Giambruno's programme showing him using foul language, touching his groin and appearing to make advances to a female colleague.

From Reuters

She also writes of her pregnancy and Timberlake’s dismay, first reported in excerpts published by People earlier this week.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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