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
see also:
shortened ? shortening short to shorten a rope to shorten sail