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