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abridge

verb

/əˈbrɪdʒ/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of abridge

To shorten a piece of writing without losing its sense or essential meaning.
"The editor had to abridge the novel to fit it into the magazine's limited space."

Detailed meaning of abridge

The purpose of abridging a text is often to make it more concise and easier to understand, or to remove redundant or unnecessary information. This process involves condensing the original text by removing words, sentences, or sections that are deemed less important or extraneous. The result is a shorter, more focused version of the original text that still accurately conveys the main ideas and key information. Abridging can be useful in many contexts, such as when summarizing a long article, adapting a book into a movie or play, or making a speech more concise. It's important to note that the act of abridging should not change the intended meaning of the original text.

Example sentences containing abridge

1. The editor had to abridge the lengthy manuscript to meet the word limit.
2. Can you abridge this article for a five-minute presentation?
3. Abridging the novel made it more accessible to younger readers.
4. The speaker had to abridge his speech to fit within the time constraints.
5. The movie adaptation had to abridge the complex plot of the book.
6. We'll abridge the contract for the sake of clarity and brevity.

History and etymology of abridge

The verb 'abridge' has its origins in Middle English and Old French. It is derived from the Old French word 'abregier,' which, in turn, comes from the Latin word 'abbreviare.' In Latin, 'ad' means 'to' or 'toward,' and 'breviare' means 'to shorten' or 'to make brief,' stemming from the word 'brevis,' meaning 'short.' This etymology reflects the fundamental concept of 'abridge,' which is the act of reducing the length of a piece of writing or text while preserving its core meaning and essential content. Over time, 'abridge' has become a term used to describe the condensing or summarizing of written material, making it more concise and accessible to a broader audience.

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Further usage examples of abridge

1. The professor abridged the textbook to focus on key concepts.
2. Abridging the history lesson allowed for more interactive activities.
3. The committee voted to abridge the lengthy document into a summary.
4. She skillfully abridged the research paper without losing its depth.
5. The publisher refused to abridge the author's controversial novel.
6. They sought to abridge our freedom of speech.
7. The government attempted to abridge our civil liberties.
8. The committee decided to abridge the meeting to save time.
9. We should not abridge the rights of individuals based on their race or religion.
10. The director had to abridge the film to fit within the allocated runtime.
11. They chose to abridge the contract to simplify the terms and conditions.
12. The new policy aims to abridge bureaucratic processes and improve efficiency.
13. The court ruling could potentially abridge the rights of marginalized communities.
14. We must not allow fear to abridge our pursuit of knowledge.
15. The editor decided to abridge the long-winded speech for the newspaper article.
16. The author refused to abridge the original manuscript, despite its length.
17. The organization aims to abridge the educational gap between urban and rural areas.
18. The committee voted to abridge the voting period to expedite the decision-making process.
19. The playwright resisted attempts to abridge the play, as every scene was crucial to the storyline.
20. The artist chose to abridge the painting by focusing on a specific section.