excerpt

[ek-surpt, 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

Other Word Forms

• excerptible adjective
• excerption noun
• excerptor noun
• excerpter noun
• unexcerpted 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

This behavioral model is a staple of democratic pundits; left-of-center media watchdog websites frequently run excerpts of Fox News shows to demonstrate intentionally biased reporting, and how it is carefully designed to mislead its consumers..

From Salon

A member of the crowd called Vance a “couch f**ker,” a reference to a fake excerpt purported to be from his memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.”

From Salon

Since the book was published in 2023, the bridge described in the following excerpt has been completed, and the creek is finally free.

From Los Angeles Times

While some programs featuring influencers and vertical excerpts of TV shows and movies are covered by union agreements, other projects don’t have those protections.

From Los Angeles Times

In her dissent, Sotomayor includes the entire book, writing that, “Because the majority selectively excerpts the book in order to rewrite its story.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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