abridge

abridge

verb \ə-ˈbrij\

abridgedabridg·ing

Definition of ABRIDGE

transitive verb

1

a archaic : deprive b : to reduce in scope : diminish <attempts to abridge the right of free speech>

2

: to shorten in duration or extent <modern transportation that abridges distance>

3

: to shorten by omission of words without sacrifice of sense : condense

— abridg·er noun

Examples of ABRIDGE

1. abridge a dictionary by omitting rare words
2. <the library's hours have been drastically abridged to cut costs>

Origin of ABRIDGE

Middle English abregen, from Anglo-French abreger, from Late Latin abbreviare, from Latin ad- + brevis short — more at brief

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ABRIDGE

Synonyms: abbreviate, shorten, curtail, cut back, dock, elide, syncopate, truncate

Antonyms: elongate, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract

Related Words: abstract, digest, encapsulate, epitomize, recapitulate, summarize, sum up; abate, compress, constrict, contract, cut, cut down, pare, prune, trim; decrease, de-escalate, deflate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, moderate, modify, reduce, retrench, shrink, slash, subtract (from), taper

Near Antonyms: enlarge, expand, supplement; add, aggrandize, amplify, augment, balloon, boost, dilate, escalate, heighten, increase, maximize, pump up, raise; blow up, distend, inflate, swell

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See Synonym Discussion at shorten

Rhymes with ABRIDGE

Banbridge, Blue Ridge, browridge, drawbridge, footbridge, gall midge, Lethbridge, Oak Ridge, Oxbridge, Stourbridge, teethridge, truss bridge