Lexic.us

Definition of Shorten

1. Verb. Make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration. "He shortened his trip due to illness"

2. Verb. Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements. "They won't shorten the story "; "The manuscript must be shortened"

3. Verb. Make short or shorter. "They shorten their hair "; "Shorten the rope by a few inches"

4. Verb. Become short or shorter. "In winter, the days shorten"

5. Verb. Edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate. "They won't shorten the story "; "Bowdlerize a novel"

Definition of Shorten

1. v. t. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.

2. v. i. To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.

Definition of Shorten

1. Verb. (transitive) To make shorter; to abbreviate. ¹

2. Verb. (intransitive) To become shorter. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Shorten

1. to make or become shorter [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Medical Definition of Shorten

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. 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, to reduce sail by taking it in. Origin: See Short. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Shorten

shortchanges shortchanging shortclothes shortcode shortcodes shortcoming shortcomings shortcrust shortcrust pastry shortcut

shortcut key shortcut keys shortcuts shortcutting shorted shorten (current term) shortenable shortened shortener shorteners

shortening shortening reaction shortenings shortens shorter shorter-lived shorter-term shortest shortest-lived shortest-term

Literary usage of Shorten

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve (1899)
"CHAPTER VI That Democratic Institutions and Manners Tend to Raise Rents and shorten the Terms of ..."

2. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1863)
"HOW DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND MANNERS TEND TO RAISE RENTS AND shorten THE TERMS OF LEASES. WHAT has been said of servants and masters is applicable, ..."

3. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville (1863)
"HOW DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND MANNERS TEND TO RAISE RENTS AND shorten THE TERMS OF LEASES. WHAT has been said of servants and masters is applicable, ..."

4. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve, John Canfield Spencer (1848)
"THAT DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND MANNERS TEND TO RAISE RENTS AND shorten THE TERMS OF LEASES. WHAT has been said of servants and masters is applicable, ..."

5. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve (1875)
"THAT DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS AND MANNERS TEND TO RAISE RENTS AND shorten THE TERMS OF LEASES. WHAT has been said of servants and masters ..."

6. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville, Henry Reeve (1899)
"CHAPTER VI That Democratic Institutions and Manners Tend to Raise Rents and shorten the Terms of Leases WHAT has been said of servants and masters is ..."

Other Resources: