I. ˈtaˌblȯid adjective
Etymology: from Tabloid, a trademark applied to a concentrated form of drugs and chemicals
1.
a. : greatly condensed or shortened : capsule
provides in tabloid form the evolution of the orchestra by families of instruments — William Schuman
b. : consisting of abbreviated episodes
tabloid musical
2.
a. : characterized by sensationalism : lurid , vulgar
the sensation-mongering tabloid press — Robert Eisler
feeding its tabloid hungers … on more local horrors — John Mason Brown
b. : of, relating to, or resembling a tabloid (as in size or format)
a tabloid machine … takes the double 32-page signatures, gives them the final fold — P.R.Russell
conservative-appearing tabloid newspapers … published weekly in small towns — T.F.Barnhart
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a short item or episode : brief , synopsis
provides in the form of a … tabloid the concentrated essence of science — Saturday Review
2.
a. : a newspaper of small format usually presenting the news in concise form
there is about these American tabloids a terseness and finality which leave nothing to be said — Eric Partridge
especially : a small profusely illustrated newspaper characterized by sensationalism
it was a tabloid , and the headlines were a mixture of war news, recent murders, and scandals — Caroline Slade
b. : a publication resembling a tabloid in size or format
most company tabloids, like company magazines, are monthly — K.C.Pratt
c. : digest , summary
a 28-page tabloid containing complete texts of all … regulations, interpretations, and directions issued through November — Journal of Accountancy