abridge

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
  2. verb lessen, diminish, or curtail

Etymology

From Middle English abreggen, abregge, abrigge (“curtail, lessen”), from Old French abregier, abreger, from Late Latin abbreviō, abbreviāre (“make brief”). Doublet of abbreviate.

In classic literature

Synonyms

foreshorten, abbreviate, shorten, cut, contract, reduce

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