noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English shortnesse, from short + -nesse -ness
1. : the quality or state of being short in length, distance, or duration : brevity
the shortness of his fingers
the shortness of the trip
the shortness of the days in winter
2.
a. obsolete : conciseness
your plainness and your shortness please me well — Shakespeare
b. : abruptness , curtness
our anger changed to glumness and shortness with each other — A.R.Matthews
3. : defectiveness of range or vision
the shortness of his sight
4. of metals : brittleness
5. : deficiency , scantiness
the shortness of provisions
hampered by a shortness of money