excerpt

[ noun ek-surpt; verb ik-surpt, ek-surpt ]

noun

1. a passage or quotation taken or selected from a book, document, film, or the like; extract.

   Synonyms: part, section, portion, selection

verb (used with object)

1. to take or select (a passage) from a book, film, or the like; extract.
2. to take or select passages from (a book, film, or the like); abridge by choosing representative sections.

excerpt

noun

1. a part or passage taken from a book, speech, play, etc, and considered on its own; extract

verb

1. tr to take (a part or passage) from a book, speech, play, etc

Derived Forms

• exˈcerptible, adjective
• exˈcerption, noun
• exˈcerptor, noun

Other Words From

• ex·cerpter ex·cerptor noun
• ex·cerpti·ble adjective
• ex·cerption noun
• unex·cerpted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of excerpt¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin excerptus “picked out,” past participle of excerpere “to pick out, pluck out,” from ex- ex- ¹ + -cerpere, combining form of carpere “to pluck”

Word History and Origins

Origin of excerpt¹

C17: from Latin excerptum, literally: (something) picked out, from excerpere to select, from carpere to pluck

Example Sentences

Major Angier’s daughter Tabby, now 77, and his grandson Guy, stand to read excerpts of letters he wrote from the frontline.

From BBC

Below are excerpts from that conversation, edited for length and clarity.

From Los Angeles Times

An excerpt published from Page Six reveals that Carson and Wolcott's marriage was littered with infidelities.

From Salon

In book excerpts serialised by the Times,, external Care described Jones overseeing a "toxic environment", in which the Australian would belittle and berate players and staff.

From BBC

The following is an excerpt from her book.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• extract
• fragment
• passage
• piece
• portion
• quotation
• selection