abridge
To shorten a piece of writing, such as a book, play, or speech, by omitting sections while maintaining the essential meaning. It can also refer to the act of reducing or curtailing rights, privileges, or authority.
Examples
3 of 5She decided to read the abridged version of 'War and Peace' to save time.
She chose to read a shortened version of the book to save time.
The government must not abridge the constitutional rights of its citizens.
The government should not limit or reduce the rights of its people.
Can you abridge your explanation? We're already running late for the movie.
Can you make your story shorter because we are late?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'a bridge' — a bridge is a shortcut that gets you across the water faster; an 'abridged' book is a shortcut through the story.
Quick Quiz
The publisher released an _______ version of the encyclopedia to make it more affordable for families.
Correct!
The correct answer is: abridged
Examples
She decided to read the abridged version of 'War and Peace' to save time.
everydayShe chose to read a shortened version of the book to save time.
The government must not abridge the constitutional rights of its citizens.
formalThe government should not limit or reduce the rights of its people.
Can you abridge your explanation? We're already running late for the movie.
informalCan you make your story shorter because we are late?
The editor asked the author to abridge the manuscript by fifty pages for the final publication.
academicThe editor requested the author to shorten the long document for printing.
We need to abridge the quarterly report to highlight only the most critical data points.
businessWe must shorten the business report to focus on the most important information.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
abridge the freedom of
to restrict the liberty of a person or group
heavily abridged
significantly shortened from the original
abridge the distance
to make a path or journey shorter (rare/literary)
Often Confused With
Abbreviate refers to shortening words or phrases (like 'Dr.' for 'Doctor'), whereas abridge refers to shortening entire texts or limiting rights.
Usage Notes
Use 'abridge' primarily when discussing the editing of literature or the legal restriction of rights. It implies that while the length is reduced, the core substance or 'soul' of the work remains.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'abbreviate' when they mean they are reading a shorter version of a book; remember that books are 'abridged,' not 'abbreviated.'
Memory Tip
Think of 'a bridge' — a bridge is a shortcut that gets you across the water faster; an 'abridged' book is a shortcut through the story.
Word Origin
From the Middle English 'abregen,' which comes from the Old French 'abregier,' based on the Latin 'abbreviare' (from 'brevis' meaning short).
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many English-speaking educational systems, students often read 'abridged' versions of Shakespeare or Dickens to introduce them to the stories without the complexity of archaic language.
Quick Quiz
The publisher released an _______ version of the encyclopedia to make it more affordable for families.
Correct!
The correct answer is: abridged
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free