- Shortened
- Shorten 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.
[1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of. [1913 Webster]
Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like. [1913 Webster]
{To shorten a rope} (Naut.), to take in the slack of it.
{To shorten sail} (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
