Shorten /(?)/

Short·en

Shorten

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Shortened; p. pr. & vb. n. Shortening

  1. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.
  2. To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen; to abridge; to curtail; to contract; as, to shorten work, an allowance of food, etc.
    Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain.
  3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.
    Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.
  4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like.

Phrases & Compounds
To shorten a rope
to take in the slack of it.
To shorten sail
to reduce sail by taking it in.

Shorten

v. i.
  1. To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.