Words / C2

BOWDL-uh-ryz/ˈbaʊdləraɪz/

To bowdlerise (UK spelling) is to cut parts of a text thought improper, often weakening it: a bowdlerised edition, bowdlerise the report. To censor (already in the dictionary) is official banning; to expunge (already in the dictionary) is to wipe something from a record, not to make it polite. Do not tidy an empty cell out of the appendix.

Meaning

To remove parts of a text thought improper, often weakening it (UK spelling).

Examples

• “Do not bowdlerise the empty cell from the appendix.”
• “To censor is official cutting (already in C1). To expunge is to wipe from a record (already in C2). Anodyne is bland and inoffensive (already in C2). A short true sentence can still be presentable. A cleaned appendix that never states the n is a hole. Write the number; leave the varnish.”

Good to know

Expurgate to make “proper” (UK spelling). Everyday: cut / sanitise. Close: censor (already in C1). Contrast: expunge (wipe from a record — already in C2). Politeness ≠ a missing n.

Near in meaning

expurgate, censor, sanitise, cut

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