abridgment
abridgment Lexical Profile
abridgment Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A shortened or condensed version of a larger written work, such as a book, dictionary, or play, that retains the essential content and meaning.
"The student read a readable abridgment of the multi-volume historical treatise before the seminar."
American The act or process of reducing, curtailing, or diminishing something, especially a legal right, freedom, or privilege.
"The Supreme Court ruled that the new regulation constituted an unconstitutional abridgment of free speech."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Abridgment" is the preferred spelling in American English (notably in the US Constitution), whereas "abridgement" is more common in British English.
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English abregement, borrowed from Old French abregement, from abregier ("to shorten"), ultimately from Late Latin abbreviare ("to make brief").