ABRIDGE', verb transitive abridj', [G. short, or its root, from the root of break or a verb of that family.]

1. To make shorter; to epitomize; to contract by using fewer words, yet retaining the sense in substance - used of writings.

Justin abridged the history of Trogus Pompeius.

2. To lessen; to diminish; as to abridge labor; to abridge power of rights.

3. To deprive; to cut off from; followed by of; as to abridge one of his rights, or enjoyments. to abridge from, is now obsolete or improper.

4. In algebra, to reduce a compound quantity or equation to its more simple expression. The equation thus abridged is called a formula.