Abridge
WordNet
verb
(1) Lessen, diminish, or curtail
"The new law might abridge our freedom of expression"
(2) Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
"The manuscript must be shortened"
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From , from 14th Century , (French ), from , from + . See brief and compare abbreviate
Verb
- To make shorter; to shorten in duration.
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- The bridegroom ... abridged his visit. - Smollett
- She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity. - Fuller
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- To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or dictionary.
- To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
- To lessen; to diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge power or rights.