Abridging

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Abridge \A*bridge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Abridged}; p. pr. &
     vb. n. {Abridging}.] [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F.
     abr['e]ger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See {Brief}
     and cf. {Abbreviate}.]
     1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to
        diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge


        power or rights. "The bridegroom . . . abridged his
        visit." --Smollett.
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              She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her
              train from state to necessity.        --Fuller.
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     2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining
        the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a
        history or dictionary.
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     3. To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by
        from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
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