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shortener

 - 3 dictionary results

short⋅en

  [shawr-tn]
Use shortener in a Sentence
–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 + -en 1

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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To shortener
short·en   (shôr'tn)   
v.   short·ened, short·en·ing, short·ens

v.   tr.

  1. To make short or shorter.

  2. Nautical To take in (a sail) so that less canvas is exposed to the wind, thereby reducing speed.

  3. To reduce in force, efficacy, or intensity.

  4. 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
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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