SHORTEN


Meaning of SHORTEN in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈshȯr-t ə n ]

verb

( short·ened ; short·en·ing ˈshȯrt-niŋ, ˈshȯr-t ə n-iŋ)

Date: 14th century

transitive verb

1.

a. : to reduce the length or duration of

b. : to cause to seem short

2.

a. : to reduce in power or efficiency

is my hand shorten ed, that it cannot redeem — Isaiah 50:2 (Revised Standard Version)

b. obsolete : to deprive of effect

3. : to add fat to (as pastry dough) in order to make tender and flaky

intransitive verb

: to become short or shorter

• short·en·er ˈshȯrt-nər, ˈshȯr-t ə n-ər noun

Synonyms:

shorten , curtail , abbreviate , abridge , retrench mean to reduce in extent. shorten implies reduction in length or duration

shorten a speech

curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy

ceremonies curtailed because of rain

abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part

using an abbreviated title

abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result

the abridged version of the novel

retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive

declining business forced the company to retrench

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.