GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Abridge , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abridged ; p. pr. & vb. n. Abridging.] [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F. abréger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See Brief and cf. Abbreviate.]
   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.
   
   1913 Webster
   She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her train from state to necessity.
   Fuller.
   
   1913 Webster
   To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a history or dictionary.
   1913 Webster
   To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
   1913 Webster