bowdlerize
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bowd·ler·ize
(bōd′lə-rīz′, boud′-)tr.v. bowd·ler·ized, bowd·ler·iz·ing, bowd·ler·iz·es
To remove material that is considered offensive or objectionable from (a book, for example); expurgate.
[After Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare in 1818.]
bowd′ler·ism n.
bowd′ler·i·za′tion (-lər-ĭ-zā′shən) n.
bowd′ler·iz′er n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bowdlerize
(ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz) orbowdlerise
vb
(Literary & Literary Critical Terms) (tr) to remove passages or words regarded as indecent from (a play, novel, etc); expurgate
[C19: after Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825), English editor who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare]
ˌbowdleriˈzation, ˌbowdleriˈsation n
ˈbowdlerˌizer, ˈbowdlerˌiser n
ˈbowdlerism n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
bowd•ler•ize
(ˈboʊd ləˌraɪz, ˈbaʊd-)v.t. -ized, -iz•ing.
to expurgate (a play, novel, or other written work) by removing or changing passages one considers vulgar or objectionable.
[1830–40; after Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825), English editor]
bowd′ler•ism, n.
bowd`ler•i•za′tion, n.
bowd′ler•iz`er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
bowdlerize
Past participle: bowdlerized
Gerund: bowdlerizing
Imperative |
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bowdlerize |
bowdlerize |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
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Verb | 1. | bowdlerize - edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; "bowdlerize a novel" abbreviate, abridge, foreshorten, shorten, contract, reduce, cut - reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; "The manuscript must be shortened" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
bowdlerize
verb censor, cut, clean up, blue-pencil, expurgate, sanitize She had ceased to bowdlerize her storytelling.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
bowdlerize
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
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bowdlerize
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995