n.
- an official who examines material that is to be published and suppresses parts considered offensive or a threat to security.
▸Psychoanalysis an aspect of the superego which prevents certain ideas and memories from emerging into consciousness.
- (in ancient Rome) a magistrate who held censuses and supervised public morals.
v.
examine (a book, film, etc.) officially and suppress unacceptable parts of it.
Derivative
- censorial adj.
- censorship n.
Etymology
C16: from L., from censere ‘assess’.