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Bowdlerize: meaning, definitions and examples

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bowdlerize

 

[ ˈbaʊd.lə.raɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

literary alteration

To bowdlerize means to remove or alter content considered inappropriate or offensive from a text. This term is often applied to the editing of literature, film, or other media to make it more acceptable for specific audiences, particularly children.

Synonyms

censor, edit, purify, sanitize

Examples of usage

  • Many classic books have been bowdlerized for modern audiences.
  • The movie was bowdlerized for its television release.
  • She chose to bowdlerize her manuscript before submitting it.
  • The adapted version of the play was bowdlerized to fit school standards.

Translations

Translations of the word "bowdlerize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 censurar

🇮🇳 संशोधित करना

🇩🇪 zensieren

🇮🇩 menyensor

🇺🇦 цензурувати

🇵🇱 cenzurować

🇯🇵 ボウドラー化する

🇫🇷 censurer

🇪🇸 censurar

🇹🇷 sansürlemek

🇰🇷 검열하다

🇸🇦 رقابة

🇨🇿 cenzurovat

🇸🇰 cenzurovať

🇨🇳 审查

🇸🇮 cenzurirati

🇮🇸 senzura

🇰🇿 сензура

🇬🇪 ცენზურა

🇦🇿 senzura

🇲🇽 censurar

Word origin

The term 'bowdlerize' is derived from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and editor who, in the early 19th century, published 'The Family Shakespeare.' This was an edition of Shakespeare's works that removed or softened content considered vulgar or inappropriate for family reading. Bowdler's actions were both praised and criticized; supporters admired his efforts to make literature more accessible, particularly to women and children, while detractors argued that it compromised the integrity and artistry of the original works. As a result, 'bowdlerize' has come to signify the act of prudently censoring or altering speech, writing, or any form of expression, often leading to the removal of essential themes or narratives that reflect real human experiences.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #42,642, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.