A
dictionary which omits
obscure words.
Abridge means to
shorten, or
skip or
leave out stuff, and so it implies that it is a
shortened version of a more
complete dictionary, called an
unabridged dictionary.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition is an example of an abridged dictionary. Merriam-Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition is an example of an unabridged dictionary.