abridge
v.v. to make a book or a piece of writing shorter by removing some parts. You do this to make it easier for people to read quickly.
v. to shorten a text by omitting parts while retaining the original meaning and structure. Often used in the context of legal documents or literary works.
The publisher decided to abridge the novel for a younger audience.
The legal team spent several weeks abridging the lengthy contract to highlight the most important clauses for the client.
While some critics argue that abridging a classic novel strips it of its historical context, others maintain that it allows modern readers to grasp the core narrative without being overwhelmed by archaic prose.
From Middle English abreggen, abregge, abrigge (“curtail, lessen”), from Old French abregier, abreger, from Late Latin abbreviō, abbreviāre (“make brief”). Doublet of abbreviate.