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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

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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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.
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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.
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Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am
shortened by my chain. --Dryden.
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3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.
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Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.
--Dryden.
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4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard,
pot liquor, or the like.
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{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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