shorten
Use Shorten in a sentence
tn verb (used with object)
2.
to reduce, decrease, take in, etc.: to shorten sail.
3.
to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.
4.
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Shorten
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is kibitz. Does it mean:
| chat, to converse |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Related forms
short·en·er, noun
o·ver·short·en, verb
pre·short·en, verb (used with object)
re·short·en, verb
un·der·short·en, verb (used with object)
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.
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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To shorten
Collins
World English Dictionary
shorten (ˈʃɔːtən) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to make or become short or shorter |
| 2. | (tr) nautical to reduce the area of (sail) |
| 3. | (tr) to make (pastry, bread, etc) short, by adding butter or another fat |
| 4. | gambling to cause (the odds) to lessen or (of odds) to become less |
| 'shortener | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
shorten
1510s, from short (adj.); the earlier form of the verb was simply short, from O.E. sceortian "to grow short," gescyrtan "to make short."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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FOLDOC
Computing Dictionary
Shorten definition
audio, compressionA form of lossless audio compression.
[Details?]
(2001-12-17)
Example sentences
One way to shorten the refractory period is to be aware of what triggers our various emotions.
Many don't transport oxygen as well as normal hemoglobin and shorten the life of red cells.
To shorten procedures, they stuffed the cash in cigarette packs and threw them from their cab windows.
In the end the bombing campaign did not shorten the war.
Nearby Words
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