- To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as,
to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity. - 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. - To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of. - To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard,
pot liquor, or the like.
2 . Shorten
[ v. i.]
- To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in
northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by
cold.
Meaning of 'shorten' (Princeton's WordNet)
1 . shorten
[ v]
Meaning (1): - edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
Example in sentence:
bowdlerize a novel
Meaning (2): - make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
Example in sentence:
He shortened his trip due to illness
Meaning (3): - become short or shorter
Example in sentence:
In winter, the days shorten
Meaning (4): - make short or shorter
Example in sentence:
shorten the rope by a few inches;
shorten the skirt
Meaning (5): - reduce in scope while retaining essential elements