edit

¹

[ ed-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to supervise or direct the preparation of (a newspaper, magazine, book, etc.); serve as editor of; direct the editorial policies of.
2. to collect, prepare, and arrange (materials) for publication.
3. to revise or correct, as a manuscript.
4. to expunge; eliminate (often followed by out ):

   The author has edited out all references to his own family.

5. to add (usually followed by in ).
6. to prepare (motion-picture film, video or magnetic tape) by deleting, arranging, and splicing, by synchronizing the sound record with the film, etc.
7. Genetics. to alter the arrangement of (genes).
8. Computers. to modify or add to (data or text).

noun

1. an instance of or the work of editing:

   automated machinery that allows a rapid edit of incoming news.

edit.

²

abbreviation for

1. edited.
2. edition.
3. editor.

edit

/ ˈɛdɪt /

verb

1. to prepare (text) for publication by checking and improving its accuracy, clarity, etc
2. to be in charge of (a publication, esp a periodical)

   he edits the local newspaper

3. to prepare (a film, tape, etc) by rearrangement, selection, or rejection of previously filmed or taped material
4. tr to modify (a computer file) by, for example, deleting, inserting, moving, or copying text
5. often foll by out to remove (incorrect or unwanted matter), as from a manuscript or film

noun

1. informal.
   an act of editing

   give the book a final edit

Other Words From

• mis·edit verb (used with object)
• over·edit verb
• re·edit verb (used with object)
• un·edit·ed adjective
• well-edit·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of edit¹

First recorded in 1785–95; 1915–20 edit fordef 6; partly back formation from editor, partly from French éditer, verb derivative of Latin ēditus “published, given out,” past participle of ēdere “to give out,” from ē- e- ¹ + -dere, combining form of dare “to give” ( datum )

Word History and Origins

Origin of edit¹

C18: back formation from editor

Example Sentences

Inc. provided financial support for Peter Brimelow, a former Forbes journalist, to write “Alien Nation” — a book Tanton helped edit and that would go on to shape the white supremacy movement.

From Salon

“But here I was, even looking at the things that we’d thrown away, all of the rushes, and picturing what the edit could look like. You’re piecing together these tiny little squares, these little moments that are going to amount to so much onscreen in the end.”

From Los Angeles Times

“After a point, we lost perspective because of the long days, so we were not 100% sure if the film was finished or if the edit was right. It became difficult because we were working on instinct itself.”

From Los Angeles Times

The “Vampire” singer later poked fun at herself, posting a dramatic edit of the tumble on TikTok.

From Los Angeles Times

There are plenty of slick A.I. features to excite Apple fans, and to complement the brand’s new custom-chip-powered hardware: “Writing Tools” for proofreading and editing messages, overhauls of Siri and the Mail app, the added ability to record and transcribe phone calls, and upgrades to the search and edit functions for your photo albums.

From Slate

Related Words

• adapt
• alter
• analyze
• annotate
• arrange
• assemble
• censor
• choose
• compile
• compose
• delete
• prepare
• publish
• rearrange
• revise
• select