— shortener , n.
/shawr"tn/ , v.t.
1. to make short or shorter.
2. to reduce, decrease, take in, etc.: to shorten sail.
3. to make (pastry, bread, etc.) short, as with butter or other fat.
4. Sports. choke (def. 8).
v.i.
5. to become short or shorter.
6. (of odds) to decrease.
[ 1505-15; SHORT + -EN 1 ]
Syn. 1. condense, lessen, limit, restrict. SHORTEN, ABBREVIATE, ABRIDGE, CURTAIL mean to make shorter or briefer. SHORTEN is a general word meaning to make less in extent or duration: to shorten a dress, a prisoner's sentence. The other three terms suggest methods of shortening. TO ABBREVIATE is to make shorter by omission or contraction: to abbreviate a word. TO ABRIDGE is to reduce in length or size by condensing, summarizing, and the like: to abridge a document. CURTAIL suggests deprivation and lack of completeness because of omitting some part: to curtail an explanation. 5. contract, lessen.