bowdlerize or bowdlerise(ˈbaʊdləˌraɪz
)
Definitions
verb
- (tr) to remove passages or words regarded as indecent from (a play, novel, etc); expurgate
Alternative Forms
ˌbowdleriˈzation ˌbowdleriˈsation noun ˈbowdlerˌizer ˈbowdlerˌiser noun ˈbowdlerism nounWord Origin
C19: after Thomas Bowdler (1754–1825), English editor who published an expurgated edition of ShakespeareUsage examples
As I'd grown older, I'd noticed that Florence had ceased to bowdlerize her storytelling.
, Time of the Wolf (1994)Since O'Brien had no defence in truth for his defamation, a threat of legal action by Lyttelton forced him to bowdlerize his own play.
, THE GUARDSMEN (2004)