01 v. t. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.
imp. & p. p.
Shortened; p. pr. & vb. n.
Shortening
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1.
To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.
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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.” — Dryden.
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3.
To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.“Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.” — Dryden.
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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.