Complete and not shortened; containing all the original content without cuts or condensation.
From English 'un-' (not) + 'abridged' (shortened), where 'abridge' comes from Old French 'abregier,' from Latin 'abbreviare' meaning 'to shorten.' The concept developed with printing technology when publishers began creating shorter versions of long works.
Unabridged dictionaries and books represent a commitment to completeness that's increasingly rare in our age of summaries and highlights. The term gained particular importance with dictionaries like Webster's Unabridged, which became symbols of comprehensive knowledge and authority.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.