英文字典中文字典51ZiDian.com

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.
[1913 Webster]


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.
[1913 Webster]

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.
[1913 Webster]

Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am
shortened by my chain. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]

3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.
[1913 Webster]

Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]

4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard,
pot liquor, or the like.
[1913 Webster]

{To shorten a rope} (Naut.), to take in the slack of it.

{To shorten sail} (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in.
[1913 Webster]