Bowdlerized: meaning, definitions and examples

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bowdlerized

 

[ ˈbaʊdləraɪzd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

censorship term

To bowdlerize something means to remove or alter parts of a text that are considered vulgar, offensive, or inappropriate, often to make it more suitable for a general audience. The term originated from the actions of Thomas Bowdler, who published an expurgated edition of Shakespeare's works in the early 19th century. His name has since become synonymous with the practice of censorship or the alteration of literary works. This practice can affect literature, film, and other forms of media, leading to debates about artistic integrity versus societal norms.

Synonyms

censor, edit, expurgate, sanitize, soften

Examples of usage

  • The film was bowdlerized for its television debut.
  • Many classic novels have been bowdlerized for young readers.
  • The editor decided to bowdlerize the book before its publication.
  • His bowdlerized version of the poem lacked the original's depth.
  • They felt the bowdlerized content was too sanitized.

Translations

Translations of the word "bowdlerized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 censurado

🇮🇳 संशोधित

🇩🇪 zensiert

🇮🇩 disensor

🇺🇦 цензурований

🇵🇱 cenzurowany

🇯🇵 検閲された

🇫🇷 censuré

🇪🇸 censurado

🇹🇷 sansürlenmiş

🇰🇷 검열된

🇸🇦 مراقب

🇨🇿 cenzurovaný

🇸🇰 cenzurovaný

🇨🇳 审查过的

🇸🇮 cenzuriran

🇮🇸 sneiddur

🇰🇿 сензураланған

🇬🇪 ცენზურირებული

🇦🇿 sensura olunmuş

🇲🇽 censurado

Etymology

The term 'bowdlerize' stems from the name of Thomas Bowdler, an English physician and poet, who, in 1818, published a heavily edited version of Shakespeare's plays, aimed primarily at family audiences. His edition, titled 'The Family Shakespeare,' sought to remove or alter any content deemed indecent or inappropriate, allowing it to be more palatable for a wider audience. This approach was controversial, and while some praised his intentions, others criticized him for diminishing the artistic integrity of the original works. Over time, the word 'bowdlerize' evolved to describe the act of censoring or toning down any kind of literature or media, particularly in the context of sexual or violent content. Bowdler's influence on the literary world was significant, as the practice of altering works for sensitivity and appropriateness has continued to be a topic of discussion, leading to broader considerations of freedom of expression versus societal expectations.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,787, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.