Library / English Dictionary

ABRIDGE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Lessen, diminish, or curtail

Example:

the new law might abridge our freedom of expression

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "abridge" is one way to...):

curb; curtail; cut back; restrict (place restrictions on)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

Example:

The manuscript must be shortened

Synonyms:

abbreviate; abridge; contract; cut; foreshorten; reduce; shorten

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "abridge" is one way to...):

decrease; lessen; minify (make smaller)

Verb group:

cut; edit; edit out (cut and assemble the components of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "abridge"):

bowdlerise; bowdlerize; castrate; expurgate; shorten (edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate)

concentrate; condense; digest (make more concise)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

They won't abridge the story

Derivation:

abridgement (a shortened version of a written work)

abridger (one who shortens or abridges or condenses a written work)

Credits