English
abridge
see also: Abridge
Pronunciation
  • (RP) IPA: /əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ/
  • (America) IPA: /əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ/
Verb

abridge (abridges, present participle abridging; past and past participle abridged)

  1. (transitive, archaic) To deprive; to cut off. [First attested from around (1150 to 1350)]
  2. (transitive, archaic, rare) To debar from. [First attested from around (1150 to 1350)]
  3. (transitive) To make shorter; to shorten in duration or extent. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470)]
    • 1639, Thomas Fuller, The Historie of the Holy Warre, Cambridge, Book 2, Chapter 31, p. 85,
      She retired her self to Sebaste, and abridged her train from State to necessity.
    • 1751, Tobias Smollett, The Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Chapter 86,
      The bridegroom, perceiving his condition, abridged the visit […]
  4. (transitive) To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense[First attested in 1384.]. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470)]
    • 1911, 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica - Johnson, Samuel
      It was still necessary for the man who had been formerly saluted by the highest authority as dictator of the English language to supply his wants by constant toil. He abridged his Dictionary. He proposed to bring out an edition of Shakespeare by subscription, and many subscribers sent in their names and laid down their money; but he soon found the task so little to his taste that he turned to more attractive employments.
  5. (transitive) Cut short; truncate. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470)]
  6. (transitive) To curtail. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470)]
    He had his rights abridged by the crooked sheriff.
Related terms Translations Translations Translations
Abridge
Proper noun
  1. A village in Essex, England


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