Webster's English Dictionary

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shorten

short.en \'sho.rt-*n\ \'sho.rt-nin, -*n-in\ \-n*r, -*n-*r\ vb or 
   short.en.ing 1: to make short or shorter  2a: to reduce in power or 
   efficiency  obs  2b: to deprive of effect  3: to make crumbly {~ pastry}  : 
   to become short or shorter TRENCH mean to reduce in extent. SHORTEN implies 
   reduction in length or duration; CURTAIL adds an implication of cutting 
   that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy; ABBREVIATE implies 
   the shortening of a word or phrase by contraction or by omission of parts; 
   ABRIDGE implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential 
   elements and a relative completeness in the result; RETRENCH suggests a 
   reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive - 
   short.en.er n SYN syn SHORTEN, CURTAIL, ABBREVIATE, ABRIDGE, RE