definition of
[shorten]

[1] #1 shorten v. make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration; "He shortened his trip due to illness". wn

[2] #2 shorten v. [abridge, foreshorten, abbreviate, cut, contract, reduce] reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; "The manuscript must be shortened". wn

[3] #3 shorten v. make short or shorter; "shorten the skirt"; "shorten the rope by a few inches". wn

[4] #4 shorten v. become short or shorter; "In winter, the days shorten". wn

[5] #5 shorten v. [bowdlerize, bowdlerise, expurgate, castrate] edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; "bowdlerize a novel". wn