To remove or change words or passages considered offensive, indecent, or objectionable from a text, typically resulting in a weaker or altered version.
Named after Thomas Bowdler (1754-1825), an English physician who published expurgated editions of Shakespeare, plus the verb suffix '-ize'.
Bowdler published his censored Shakespeare in 1818 with the goal of making it appropriate for families, but he's now immortalized in the English language as a symbol of misguided censorship—his attempt at family-friendly literature backfired into infamy.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.