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7 dictionary results for: shorten

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

short·en

[shawr-tn] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to make short or shorter.

2.	to reduce, decrease, take in, etc.: to shorten sail.

3.	to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.

4.	Sports. choke (def. 8).

–verb (used without object)

5.	to become short or shorter.

6.	(of odds) to decrease.

[Origin: 1505–15; short + -en¹

]

—Related forms

short·en·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. condense, lessen, limit, restrict. Shorten, abbreviate, abridge, curtail mean to make shorter or briefer. Shorten is a general word meaning to make less in extent or duration: to shorten a dress, a prisoner's sentence. The other three terms suggest methods of shortening. To abbreviate is to make shorter by omission or contraction: to abbreviate a word. To abridge is to reduce in length or size by condensing, summarizing, and the like: to abridge a document. Curtail suggests deprivation and lack of completeness because of omitting some part: to curtail an explanation. 5. contract, lessen.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

short·en   (shôr'tn) Pronunciation Key
v.   short·ened, short·en·ing, short·ens

v.   tr.

To make short or shorter.
Nautical To take in (a sail) so that less canvas is exposed to the wind, thereby reducing speed.
To reduce in force, efficacy, or intensity.
To add shortening to (dough) so as to make flaky.

v. intr.
To become short or shorter.

short'en·er n.

Synonyms: These verbs mean to diminish the length, duration, or extent of by or as if by cutting: vices that will shorten your life; abbreviated the speech; abridging the citizens' rights; curtailed their visit; truncated the conversation.
Antonym: lengthen

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shorten (v.)

1513, from short (adj.); the earlier form of the verb was simply short, from O.E. sceortian "to grow short," gescyrtan "to make short."

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

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

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Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This

Shorten audio, compression
A form of lossless audio compression.
[Details?]
(2001-12-17)

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Shorten

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.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Shorten

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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