The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Abridge \A*bridge"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Abridged; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Abridging.] [OE. abregen, OF. abregier, F.
   abr['e]ger, fr. L. abbreviare; ad + brevis short. See Brief
   and cf. Abbreviate.]
   1. To make shorter; to shorten in duration; to lessen; to
      diminish; to curtail; as, to abridge labor; to abridge
      power or rights. "The bridegroom . . . abridged his
      visit." --Smollett.
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            She retired herself to Sebaste, and abridged her
            train from state to necessity.        --Fuller.
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   2. To shorten or contract by using fewer words, yet retaining
      the sense; to epitomize; to condense; as, to abridge a
      history or dictionary.
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   3. To deprive; to cut off; -- followed by of, and formerly by
      from; as, to abridge one of his rights.
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