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.
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.
