de ‧ lete /dɪˈliːt/ BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: deletus , past participle of delere 'to destroy' ]
to remove something that has been written down or stored in a computer:
His name was deleted from the list.
I deleted the file by mistake.
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THESAURUS
▪ delete to remove something that has been written down or stored in a computer:
I think you should delete the second paragraph.
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You can delete any files that are no longer required.
▪ cut to remove a section from a piece of writing or a film:
You’ll have to cut some of your essay if it’s over 1,500 words.
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A couple of scenes had to be cut because they were too violent.
▪ cross something out to draw a line through a word to show that it was a mistake or that you want to change what you have written:
If you make a mistake in the exam, just cross it out.
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I’ve crossed out the names of people who can’t come.
▪ rub something out British English , erase American English to remove writing or pictures from paper with a rubber, or from a board with a cloth:
Use a pencil so you can rub out your mistakes.
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I had to rub the whole thing out and start again.
▪ erase to remove sounds or pictures that have been recorded on a machine:
You can erase the tape or record over it.
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Somehow all my photographs had been erased.