3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Shorten  \Short"en\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Shortened  ?};  p.  pr  & 
  vb  n.  {Shortening}.]  [See  {Short},  a.] 
  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}  (Naut.),  to  take  in  the  slack  of  it 
 
  {To  shorten  sail}  (Naut.),  to  reduce  sail  by  taking  it  in 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Shortening  \Short"en*ing\,  n. 
  1.  The  act  of  making  or  becoming  short  or  shorter. 
 
  2.  (Cookery)  That  which  renders  pastry  short  or  friable,  as 
  butter,  lard,  etc 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  shortening 
  n  1:  fat  such  as  butter  or  lard  used  in  baked  goods 
  2:  act  of  decreasing  in  length:  "the  dress  needs  shortening" 

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