blue-pencil

[ bloo-pen-suhl ]

verb (used with object)

, blue-pen·ciled, blue-pen·cil·ing or (especially British) blue-pen·cilled, blue-pen·cil·ling.

1. to alter, abridge, or cancel with or as with a pencil that has blue lead, as in editing a manuscript.

blue pencil

noun

1. deletion, alteration, or censorship of the contents of a book or other work

verb

1. tr to alter or delete parts of (a book, film, etc), esp to censor

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue-pencil¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

The first step in processing a set of data so obtained is to blue-pencil all entries that, judged by the accompanying remarks, relate to extraneous objects such as insects or bats.

From Project Gutenberg

The secretary went into the adjoining room, to return presently with a file of newspapers, stitched neatly together, their columns marked here and there in blue-pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

I never do, and Harmer has to blue-pencil my copy mercilessly.

From Project Gutenberg

Good and true writing no magazine or newspaper editor will blue-pencil.

From Project Gutenberg

And often I have had them blue-pencil wild statements I had made, which, on second thought, I wished withdrawn ... and during all the uproar I never had a reporter break his word, once given.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alter
• amend
• compare
• cut
• develop
• improve
• modify
• overhaul
• reconsider
• reexamine
• reorganize
• revamp
• review
• rework
• rewrite
• scrutinize
• tighten
• update
• upgrade