SHORTEN

Short″en (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shortened �; p. pr. & vb. n. Shortening.] [[See Short, a.]] 1. 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. 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. 3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; — with of.
Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears. Dryden. 4. 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.