bowdlerisation love

Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun the deletion of all passages considered to be indecent.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The action or instance of bowdlerising; the omission or removal of material considered vulgar or indecent.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the act of deleting or modifying all passages considered to be indecent
  • noun written material that has been bowdlerized

Etymologies

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Examples

  • On Intel's website, you'll find the company's own timeline, replete with innovations, and bowdlerisation...but nothing about reinventing the transistor.

    Intel 3D transistors: why and when? 2011

  • Hence Hodder's attempt to update the language of the Famous Five: a spoon-feeding bowdlerisation that underestimates both the intelligence of children and the importance of historical accuracy.

    Enid Blyton's child transporters | Louisa Young 2011

  • The polarisation of views on police tactics is depressingly predictable, and I would suggest that the bowdlerisation of the language serves to numb proper human sensitivity.

    Archive 2009-06-01 Bystander 2009

  • The polarisation of views on police tactics is depressingly predictable, and I would suggest that the bowdlerisation of the language serves to numb proper human sensitivity.

    Euphemisms Bystander 2009

  • You'll forgive my bowdlerisation of the post, but I am aware Ann's kids are reading this, and I wouldn't want to contribute to their delinquincy.

    Marcotte resigns from the Edwards campaign. Ann Althouse 2007

  • This fits with what Garcia sang in 1966 - and seems to be a bowdlerisation of the Memphis Jug Band's version which has "black girl"

    On The Road Again Traditional 1981

  • This fits with what Garcia sang in 1966 - and seems to be a bowdlerisation of the Memphis Jug Band's version which has "black girl"

    On The Road Again Traditional 1981

  • In the Hakluyt Society's bowdlerisation we read of the Tumbez Islanders being "very vicious, many of them committing the abominable offence" (p. 24); also, "If by the advice of the Devil any Indian commit the abominable crime, it is thought little of and they call him a woman."

    Arabian nights. English Anonymous 1855

  • You would be narrating, not explaining if bowdlerisation was something you wanted to avoid.

    Denver Post: News: Breaking: Local 2009

  • You would be narrating, not explaining if bowdlerisation was something you wanted to avoid.

    Denver Post: News: Breaking: Local 2009

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