DuckCorp Dico

Found one definition

1.                 From The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906):
                   
   
   
                   
                     
   ABRIDGE, v.t.  To shorten.
           When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for
       people to abridge their king, a decent respect for the opinions of
       mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel
       them to the separation.
                                                          Oliver Cromwell