Abridged Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/əˈbrɪdʒd/ ❗️

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A shortened or condensed version of a text, typically an article, book, or document, that is edited to be more concise and easy to read, while still maintaining its essential content.

Examples

• The publisher released an abridged version of the novel for readers who wanted a condensed version.
• The instructor provided an abridged outline of the chapters for the students.
• The author agreed to an abridged version of the manuscript for publishing purposes.
• The concise and well-organized abridged version of the case study impressed the judge.

Synonyms

• Concise
• Shortened
• Edited

Antonyms

• Expanded
• Lengthened
• Unabridged

Additional Information

Abridged texts are often used in educational settings to help students grasp complex information more easily. They can also be used in professional contexts where space or time constraints require a concise version of a document. Abridgement is a delicate process, as it requires maintaining the original content’s essence while condensing it.

In digital publishing, abridged versions of texts can be published as e-books or online articles, allowing readers to access the content quickly and easily.

Etymology

The word “abridged” comes from the Latin “abbreviare,” meaning “to shorten.” It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe the process of condensing texts.

Usage Notes

When using the word “abridged,” it is essential to distinguish between the original text and the condensed version. For example, one could say, “The abridged version of the novel captures the essence of the original story.”

Cultural References

In popular culture, the term “abridged” is often used humorously to describe shortened versions of movies, TV shows, or music releases.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

• To abbreviate someone means to shorten their name or title.
• To condense something means to make it shorter and more concise.

Related Words or Phrases

• Edited
• Condensed
• Shortened
• Simplified

Collocations

• Abridged version
• Concise summary
• Shortened transcript
• Edited excerpt

Frequency of Use

The word “abridged” is commonly used in academic and professional settings, particularly in the fields of education, publishing, and business.

Common Misspellings

• Abridgen
• Abridgede
• Abriged