shorten

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shorten shortening

Main Entry: short·en
Pronunciation: 'shor-t^&n
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): short·ened; short·en·ing /'short-ni[ng], 'shor-t^&n-i[ng]/
transitive verb
1 a : to reduce the length or duration of b : to cause to seem short
2 a : to reduce in power or efficiency <is my hand shortened, that it cannot redeem -- Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)> b obsolete : to deprive of effect
3 : to add fat to (as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky
intransitive verb : to become short or shorter
- short·en·er /'short-n&r, 'shor-t^&n-&r/ noun
synonyms SHORTEN, CURTAIL, ABBREVIATE, ABRIDGE, RETRENCH mean to reduce in extent. SHORTEN implies reduction in length or duration <shorten a speech>. CURTAIL adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy <ceremonies curtailed because of rain>. ABBREVIATE implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part <using an abbreviated title>. ABRIDGE implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result <the abridged version of the novel>. RETRENCH suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive <declining business forced the company to retrench>.