Shorten word meaning and definition

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

\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.

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