Abridge - Definitions from Dictionary.com

7 results for: Abridge

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

a·bridge

Audio Help [uh-brij] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object), a·bridged, a·bridg·ing.

1.	to shorten by omissions while retaining the basic contents: to abridge a reference book.

2.	to reduce or lessen in duration, scope, authority, etc.; diminish; curtail: to abridge a visit; to abridge one's freedom.

3.	to deprive; cut off.

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME abreggen, abriggen < MF abreg(i)er < LL abbreviāre to shorten. See a-⁴, abbreviate

]

—Related forms

a·bridg·a·ble, a·bridge·a·ble, adjective

a·bridg·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. cut down; epitomize; condense, abstract, digest. See shorten. 2. contract, reduce. 3. divest.

—Antonyms 1. lengthen. 2. expand.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Abridge

To learn more about Abridge visit Britannica.com

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

a·bridge Audio Help (ə-brĭj') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. a·bridged, a·bridg·ing, a·bridg·es

To reduce the length of (a written text); condense.
To cut short; curtail. See Synonyms at shorten.

[Middle English abregen, from Old French abregier, from Late Latin abbreviāre, to shorten; see abbreviate.]

a·bridg'er n.

(Download Now or Buy the Book)

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
abridge

1303, from O.Fr. abregier "to shorten," from L.L. abbreviare "make short" (see abbreviate). The sound development from L. -vi- to Fr. -dg- is paralleled in assuage (from assuavidare) and deluge (from diluvium).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

abridge
verb
1.	reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; "The manuscript must be shortened" [ant: dilate]
2.	lessen, diminish, or curtail; "the new law might abridge our freedom of expression"

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
abridge [əˈbridʒ] verb

to make (especially a book) shorter

Arabic:	يَخْتَصِر، يُوجِز
Chinese (Simplified):	节略，删节
Chinese (Traditional):	節略，刪節
Czech:	(z)krátit
Danish:	forkorte
Dutch:	verkorten
Estonian:	lühendama
Finnish:	lyhentää
French:	abréger
German:	kürzen
Greek:	συντομεύω, περικόπτω
Hungarian:	lerövidít
Icelandic:	stytta
Indonesian:	meringkas
Italian:	abbreviare, ridurre

Japanese:	短縮する
Korean:	단축하다
Latvian:	saīsināt (tekstu)
Lithuanian:	(su)trumpinti
Norwegian:	forkorte
Polish:	skracać
Portuguese (Brazil):	abreviar, condensar
Portuguese (Portugal):	abreviar
Romanian:	a prescurta
Russian:	сокращать
Slovak:	skrátiť, zostručniť
Slovenian:	skrajšati
Spanish:	abreviar, compendiar
Swedish:	förkorta
Turkish:	kısaltmak

Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law - Cite This Source - Share This
Main Entry: abridge
Pronunciation: &-'brij
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: abridged; abridg·ing
: to diminish or reduce inscope <no State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges and immunities of the citizens of the United States —U.S. Constitution amendment XIV>—abridg·ment or abridge·ment noun

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Abridge

Ab*bre"vi*ate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abbreviated; p. pr. & vb. n. Abbreviating.] [L. abbreviatus, p. p. of abbreviare; ad + breviare to shorten, fr. brevis short. See Abridge.]

1. To make briefer; to shorten; to abridge; to reduce by contraction or omission, especially of words written or spoken.

It is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting off. --Bacon.

2. (Math.) To reduce to lower terms, as a fraction.

Browse Nearby Entries: