Bowdlerize - English meaning

noun

If a person goes over a piece of writing with a blue pencil, they remove or change some of the words to improve it or make it acceptable.

noun

An official who examines books, films, news, etc. that are about to be published and suppresses any parts that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.

Usage examples:

The report was approved by the military censors

verb

Examine (a book, film, etc.) officially and suppress unacceptable parts of it.

Usage examples:

The report had been censored ‘in the national interest’

verb

To remove parts of something, such as a book, movie, or letter, that you do not want someone to see or hear

Usage examples:

She opposes efforts to censor the internet.

verb

Make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object.

Usage examples:

He cut his toe on a sharp stone

noun

A stroke or blow given by a sharp-edged implement or by a whip or cane.

Usage examples:

He could skin an animal with a single cut of the knife

verb

Separate with or as if with an instrument

verb

Prepare (written material) for publication by correcting, condensing, or otherwise modifying it.

Usage examples:

Volume i was edited by j. johnson

noun

A change or correction made as a result of editing.

Usage examples:

The system has no word wrap feature—so even small edits involved extensive rekeying

verb

Prepare for publication or presentation by revising

verb

Deprive (a man) of his male role or identity.

Usage examples:

In his mind, her success emasculated him

verb

To reduce the effectiveness of something

Usage examples:

They were accused of trying to emasculate the report's recommendations., but another man in his for…

verb

Remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a text or account).

Usage examples:

Editors heavily expurgated the novel before its initial publication

verb

To remove parts of a piece of writing that are considered likely to cause offence

Usage examples:

The book was expurgated to make it suitable for children.

verb

Rid (someone or something) of an unwanted quality, condition, or feeling.

Usage examples:

Bob had helped purge martha of the terrible guilt that had haunted her

noun

An abrupt or violent removal of a group of people.

Usage examples:

Many of us live in fear of a purge

verb

Remove contaminants from.

Usage examples:

The filtration plant is able to purify 70 tons of water a day

verb

To rid something of dirty or harmful substances

Usage examples:

Flower growers here are required to purify all their runoff water.

verb

Edit (text) for publication.

Usage examples:

A confidential memo which has been redacted from 25 pages to just one paragraph

verb

To remove words or information from a text before it is printed or made available to the public

Usage examples:

Officers' names are routinely redacted from any publicly released reports., some parts of secret fi…

verb

Make clean and hygienic; disinfect.

Usage examples:

New chemicals for sanitizing a pool

verb

To make something completely clean

Usage examples:

The majority of public swimming pools are sanitized with chlorine., the new text sanitizes early am…