Abridge

/əˈbrɪdʒ/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To shorten (a book, movie, speech, etc.) by cutting out some parts.

The editor decided to abridge the novel to make it more accessible to young readers.

To reduce the scope or extent of something.

The company had to abridge its budget due to unforeseen expenses.

To curtail or limit something, often relating to rights or privileges.

The new law seeks to abridge the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.

Middle English, from Old French 'abregier', from Latin 'abridgere', from 'ad-' + 'bridgere' (meaning to break).

abridged version

A shortened form of a text that maintains the main points.

to abridge one’s rights

To diminish or limit someone's rights.

abridgment

The act of abridging; a shortened form of a work.

abridged

Reduced in length or size.

To cut out the unnecessary parts.

They totally abridged that movie for TV.

To make something simpler.

Let’s abridge this discussion, we can work out the details later.