Definitions for: Shorten


[v] make short or shorter; "shorten the skirt"; "shorten the rope by a few inches"
[v] edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; "bowdlerize a novel"
[v] reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; "The manuscript must be shortened"
[v] become short or shorter; "In winter, the days shorten"
[v] make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration; "He shortened his trip due to illness"



Webster (1913) Definition: Short"en, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shortened ?; p. pr. &
vb. n. Shortening.] [See Short, a.]
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. --Dryden.

3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.

Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.
--Dryden.

4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard,
pot liquor, or the like.

To shorten a rope (Naut.), to take in the slack of it.

To shorten sail (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in.


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

Synonyms: bowdlerise, bowdlerize, castrate, expurgate

Antonyms: lengthen

See Also: abbreviate, abridge, alter, bring down, change, clip, concentrate, condense, contract, curtail, cut, cut back, cut down, cut short, decrease, diminish, fall, foreshorten, lessen, minify, reduce, shorten, syncopate, trim, trim back, trim down, truncate

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