Abridge

To shorten a book, play, movie, speech, or other written work by removing certain elements while maintaining the core meaning. This typically involves condensing the original content without fundamentally changing its essence or intent. The goal is usually to make the work more concise and accessible while retaining its key information. It can also mean to diminish or curtail, often referring to a right or privilege.

Abridge meaning with examples

• The editor decided to Abridge the lengthy novel, removing several subplots to make it more appealing to a wider audience and to fit more comfortably into the available print space.
• For the children's edition, the classic novel was abridged to make it easier for younger readers to follow and to reduce the overall reading time, highlighting the major story elements.
• The contract granted all the essential rights, but some less vital stipulations were abridged for the sake of brevity and clarity, streamlining the legal jargon.
• The senator proposed a bill to Abridge certain freedoms, citing national security concerns which sparked intense debate among civil liberties groups and the public at large.
• The historical document was abridged by the archivist to exclude sensitive personal details while preserving its historical significance and crucial political commentary.