Abridge
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
[from Fr. abreger; L. Lat. abbreviare.] In old practice. To make shorter; not, however, in words only, as in the popular sense, retaining the substance, but by subtracting, severing, or leaving out some of the substance itself. Applied to plaints or declarations in the old real actions. Bro. Abr. Abridgment.
Cowell. Story J., 3 Peters' U. S. R. 99, 183.