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.
SHORTEN
Short"en, v. i.
Defn: To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.
SHORTENER
Short"en*er, n.
Defn: One who, or that which, shortens.
SHORTENING
Short"en*ing, n.
1. The act of making or becoming short or shorter.
2. (Cookery)