redactate

Redactate is a verb in English that denotes the act of preparing a document for dissemination by editing, condensing, or censoring content. The term is uncommon in contemporary usage; writers typically use redact to describe editing for release, or redaction to refer to the process or resulting text. Because redactate is rare and sometimes regarded as archaic, it most often appears in older legal or archival materials rather than in modern prose.

Relation to related terms: redact (to edit or censor) is the standard verb; redaction is the noun for the process or the redacted material; redacted is the adjective for text that has undergone such treatment. Redactate, if encountered, usually signals the same general activity but is not widely accepted in current English.

Contexts and practice: In government, corporate, or journalism contexts, the act involves reviewing documents for sensitive information, applying redactions, and ensuring that the released text remains meaningful while protecting privacy or security. Procedures may specify criteria for what to redact, methods of marking or replacing redacted portions, and documentation to justify the edits and preserve accountability.

Notes: The choice of terms can affect perception, with redactate seen as older or more technical, while redact and redaction are standard. Proper use depends on audience, jurisdiction, and the historical or stylistic context.

See also: Redaction, Redacted, Editing, Censorship, FOIA