apostrophize, v.
(əˈpɒstrəfaɪz)
[f. apostrophe + -ize.]
I. From apostrophe1.
1. Rhet. To address with or in an apostrophe.
| 1725 Pope Odyss. xiv. 41 note, Homer's manner of apostrophizing Eumæus. 1760 Sterne Tr. Shandy xxx. Wks. IX. 289 ‘Best of honest and gallant servants!’—but I have apostrophiz'd thee Trim, once before. 1825 Scott Betrothed ii, ‘And what though thou, O scroll,’ he said, apostrophizing the letter..‘dost speak with the tongue of the stranger.’ |
b. absol. or intr.
| 1824 Dibdin Libr. Comp. 228 Indeed, apostrophising and mystifying apart. 1865 Pall Mall G. 19 June 4 That additional half-hour of hesitation, repetition, and apostrophizing on his part. |
II. From apostrophe2.
2. To omit one or more letters of a word; to mark with the sign (') the omission of letters.
| 1611 Cotgr., Apostropher..to apostrophise; to cut off (by an Apostrophe) the last vowell of a word. 1818 [See next.] |