shortenv.
/ˈʃɔːt(ə)n/ 1. transitive. To make shorter, to diminish the length of, to abridge, curtail.† h. To diminish in number or quantity. Obsolete.
a. With reference to duration. to shorten (a person's) life: in early use sometimes †to kill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > kill [verb (intransitive)]
to shed blood?a1100
to let blood?c1225
to be (a person's) priesta1450
shortena1535
kill1535
to throw (also turn, etc.) over the perch1568
to trip (also turn, tumble, kick, etc.) up a person's heels1587
to make dice of (a person's) bones1591
to put out (also quench) a person's light(s)1599
account1848
to fix1875
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > curtail
wanea889
dockc1380
bridgec1384
abridgea1393
limita1398
syncopec1412
defalk1475
shortena1535
to cut short?1542
royn1573
retrench1587
curtail1589
retranch1589
lop1594
scantle1596
scant1599
scantelize1611
curtalize1622
defalce1651
detrench1655
barb1657
defalcatea1690
razee1815
detruncate1846
to cut down1857
shave1898
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > short duration [verb (transitive)] > shorten
shortc1175
laska1375
abridgec1384
breviatea1529
strait1571
scantelize1611
curta1618
shortena1641
decontract1647
a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 37/2 Ye king his brother (whose life hee loked that euil dyete shoulde shorten).
a1641 H. Spelman Of Law Terms (1684) xvii. 44 Trinity-Term was altred and shortned by the Statute of 32 Hen. 8 chap. 21.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 62 When Autumn weighs The Year, and adds to Nights, and shortens Days. View more context for this quotation
1733 Duchess of Queensberry Let. to Swift 21 Feb. As you can~not lengthen your friend's days, I must beg you, in your own words, not to shorten your own.
1824 L.-M. Hawkins Annaline II. 79 [They] could not make any excuse for shortening their stay at the castle.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 665 She calmly disposed the straw about her in such a manner as to shorten her sufferings.
1885 Spectator 25 July 978/2 We may blame him for shortening a valuable life by inflicting needless hardships upon himself.
b. To make to appear shorter; to beguile (time, a journey, etc.) by conversation or pastime.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > spending time > spend time or allow time to pass [verb (transitive)] > pleasantly
short1449
shorten1579
deceive1591
sport1593
delude1615
entreata1616
while1635
elude1660
divert1707
dangle1727
wile1796
smile1803
to round off1824
1579 A. Montgomerie Misc. Poems xlviii. 216 With Pro and Contra, so shortnit we the way.
1663 S. Patrick Parable of Pilgrim (1687) xxviii. 323 In such delightful and useful talk as this they beguiled the time, and shortned the length of the ways.
1734 H. Fielding Don Quixote in Eng. i. vii. 16 When a Lover suffers his Mistress to come first to the Place of Appointment, he cannot blame any innocent Amusement with which she would shorten his Absence.
1829 W. Scott Anne of Geierstein I. xi. 316 The tale, which had shortened the way in so interesting a manner.
1867 All Year Round 13 July 56/2 Narrations of adventures met with on previous tramps..serve to shorten the road.
c. With reference to compositions, speeches, discussions, etc.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > summarize or abridge [verb (transitive)]
abrevya1325
comprehendc1369
abridgec1384
shorta1390
suma1398
abbreviate?a1475
shorten1530
to cut short?1542
curtail1553
to knit up1553
to wind up1583
clip1598
epitomize1599
brief1601
contract1604
to shut up1622
decurt1631
to sum up1642
breviate1663
curtilate1665
compendize1693
epitomate1702
to gather up1782
summarize1808
scissor1829
précis1856
to cut down1857
to boil down1880
synopsize1882
essence1888
résumé1888
short copy1891
bovrilize1900
pot1927
summate1951
capsulize1958
profile1970
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 704/2 Shorten your mater, for it is to longe for this audyence.
a1699 T. Comber Hist. Liturgies in Compan. Temple (1702) II. 35 But (as is done in our Common Prayer) he shortned it, because of his Weakness.
1709 R. Steele Tatler No. 107. ⁋7 To shorten my Story, she was married to another.
1850 W. R. Williams Relig. Progress (1854) iii. 50 The Jesuits..who lengthened the creed and shortened the commandments.
1912 J. M. Thomson Reg. Mag. Sig. Scot. 1306–1424 Pref. 8 The custom grew up of shortening it [a list of witnesses] to ut in aliis cartis [etc.].
d. With reference to linear measurement. †to shorten up: to contract, draw together. †to shorten by the head: to behead (cf. short adj. 2, short v.1 2c).
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the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > reduce in size or extent [verb (transitive)] > contract or shrink
inknitc1374
drawc1390
shrinka1398
strain1398
to shorten up1530
contrahe1540
to gather up1553
to draw in1572
contract1604
constringe1652
purse1668
constrain1697
undistend1868
collapse1908
the world > life > death > killing > killing by specific method > kill [verb (transitive)] > by beheading
to lash offc1330
whipc1380
off-whipa1400
to shorten by the head1530
firkc1540
to short (a person) by the head or knees1548
neckc1712
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > make short(er) [verb (transitive)]
short1398
shorten1530
stump1596
snub1615
to take up1624
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > vertical extent > lack of height > make low(er) [verb (transitive)]
depress1526
shorten1530
lower1858
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 704/2 A tall man may shorten hym selfe so moche that he shall nat seme so hye as a childe.
1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde f. 243 They had shortened the course of the landes he had discouered.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 662 There his body was shortned, by the length of his hed.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iv. i. 257 Goe, charge my Goblins that they..shorten vp their sinewes With aged Cramps. View more context for this quotation
1791 G. Wallis Motherby's New Med. Dict. (ed. 3) at Musculus A muscle..can contract itself so as to be shortened one third.
1798 S. Lee Young Lady's Tale in H. Lee Canterbury Tales II. 106 The tour..they must now necessarily shorten.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xvi. 107 This we crossed in order to shorten our way.
1883 Manch. Guard. 15 Oct. 5/7 To shorten the course of the river from London Bridge to Gravesend by 2½ miles.
1912 T. D. Atkinson Eng. & Welsh Cathedrals 179 Shortening the total length of the church by about 37 feet.
e. figurative. In Biblical phrase, to shorten the arm or hand of: to limit the power of.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > lack of power > deprive of power [verb (transitive)] > reduce the power of
weaken1530
to shorten the arm or hand of1535
weaken1568
emasculate1608
to pare the claws of1884
defang1919
declaw1940
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Num. xi. E The Lorde sayde vnto Moses: Is the Lordes hande shortened then?
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. N4v Doe they thinke that his arme is shortened, or his power weakened?
1645 R. Harwood Loyall Subiects Retiring-roome 28 Why should we think his hand will be shortned towards any of us?
1647 J. Trapp Comm. Epist. & Rev. (Rev. xx. 3) God will shorten your hand of cruelty.
1833 H. F. Lyte Poems 157 Thine arm can never shortened be.
f. To diminish in working length; to tighten (a rein), in quot. figurative; to hold (a weapon) nearer to the middle, in order to deal a more effective blow or thrust.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > make short(er) [verb (transitive)] > in working length
shorten1597
to take up1818
society > armed hostility > military equipment > operation and use of weapons > use or wield (a weapon) [verb (transitive)] > hold farther from end
shorten1821
1597 R. Hooker Of Lawes Eccl. Politie v. xliii. 91 They shorten somewhat the reynes of their censure.
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth I. iv. 91 He closed with him, shortening his own sword at the same time, with the purpose of dispatching him.
1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. ix. 227 Shortening the rod in his hand, and preparing for battle.
1888 F. Hume Madame Midas i. xii. 84 Villiers..shortened his stick to give her a blow on the head.
1898 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport II. 298/1 (Rowing) Shorten oars, to draw the handle of the oar in-board, in order to avoid an obstacle in the river, or to pass through a narrow place such as a lock.
g. With reference to phonetic quantity.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [verb (transitive)] > lengthen or shorten
prolongc1560
shorten1589
trail1604
lengthen1667
abbreviate1668
1589 G. Puttenham Arte Eng. Poesie ii. xii. 90 He that first shortned, ca. in this word cano, and made long tro, in troia, and o, in oris, might haue aswell done the contrary.
1861 F. A. Paley Æschylus' Eumenides (ed. 2) 996 (note) Homer shortens the α in δαίδος.
1871 H. J. Roby Gram. Lat. Lang. i. ii. xviii. § 583 The imperative-forms in Plautus and Terence often shortened the final vowel.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > reduce in quantity, amount, or degree [verb (transitive)] > reduce in quantity or number
thinc1440
depopulate1545
shorten1604
disquantity1608
waste1617
dequantitate1646
paucify1648
castrate1728
shrink1832
1604 R. Dallington View of Fraunce sig. L2v The Nobilitie of France..is exceedingly shortned in number.
1611 Second Maiden's Trag. (1909) v. ii. 75 Thy glories shalbe shortend.
i. Horticulture. To cut back in pruning. Also to shorten in, back.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > gardening > management of plants > [verb (transitive)] > prune or trim
shear1398
shragc1440
geld?1523
reform1574
shorten1706
1706 G. London & H. Wise Retir'd Gard'ner I. ii. ii. 110 We..only shorten the young shoots.
1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 457 The short lateral shoots, which are shortened in at the winter pruning to two or three buds.
1842 J. C. Loudon Suburban Horticulturist 475 The shoots on the upper or farther extended branches may be shortened back to half or one-third of their lengths.
j. To clip (coin).
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society > trade and finance > money > mutilating coin > mutilate coin [verb (transitive)]
roundc1400
wash1421
royna1475
clipa1513
rounge1540
diminish1569
scale1576
launder1612
sweat1785
shorten1857
1857 G. Borrow Romany Rye II. x. 128 My grandfather..sometimes shortened money, and at other times passed off what had been shortened by other gentry.
2. intransitive. To grow shorter.† b. To become less diffuse. Obsolete. rare.† c. Of the breath: To become shorter.
a. To diminish in length (either of duration or measurement).
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > shortness in time [verb (intransitive)] > shorten
shortc1000
shorten1569
crumple1858
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > short [verb (intransitive)] > become short(er)
shorten1569
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 369 Thus euer the time passed, and the dayes shortened.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 36 The third story of Columns would shorten so much.
1676 A. Marvell Mr. Smirke sig. D3 I am glad to see my labour shorten.
1823 C. Lamb New Year's Eve in Elia 66 In proportion as the years both lessen and shorten, I set more count upon their periods.
1851 S. Warner Wide Wide World II. xxxvi. 97 Ellen's face shortened considerably.
1899 E. E. Hale J. R. Lowell ii. 17 As the days shortened, morning prayers came later.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > be concise or brief [verb (intransitive)] > become less diffuse
shorten1727
1727 R. Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 299 After this interruption, Mr Grant shortened.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > breathe [verb (intransitive)] > of breath: become shorter
shorten1765
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > disordered breathing > have or cause breathing disorder [verb (intransitive)] > become short of breath > of breath: become short
shorten1765
1765 J. Brown Christian Jrnl. 78 My breath shortens; my pulse beats high.
d. Of a price, odds: To be lowered or lessened.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > monetary value > price > fluctuation in price > [verb (intransitive)] > decline in price or fall
fall?1532
to come down1832
settle1868
sag1870
recede1883
shorten1884
ease1900
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > bet [verb (intransitive)] > of odds: to be lowered
shorten1884
1884 H. Smart From Post to Finish xliv The odds shortened rapidly. Still the fielders continued to lay the lessening price.
1891 N. Gould Double Event xl. 302 The horse's price shortened.
1913 Eng. Rev. May 301 To use the bookmaker's parlance, the prices shorten somewhat.
3. transitive.† a. To hold in check, restrain. Obsolete.† b. To render (an intention) ineffectual. (Cf. short v.1 5.) Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restrain [verb (transitive)] > hold in check
bridleOE
tempera1050
chastec1230
to hold inc1300
straina1340
stintc1366
attemperc1380
restraina1387
rulea1391
ward1390
coarctc1400
obtemper?a1425
to hold or keep (a person) shortc1425
compesce1430
stent1488
coactc1520
repressa1525
compress1526
control1548
snaffle1555
temperatea1568
brank1574
halter1577
curb1588
shortena1599
to bear (a rein) upon1603
check1629
coerceate1657
bit1825
throttle1862
hold1901
a1599 E. Spenser View State Ireland 87 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) They should not bee able once to stirre or to murmure, but that it should be knowne, and they shortened according to their demerites.
1700 J. Dryden Fables Ded. sig. Bijv Here, where the Subject is so fruitful..I am shorten'd by my Chain.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > thwart or foil
false?c1225
confoundc1315
blenk?a1400
matea1400
interrupt1464
blench1485
fruster?a1513
frustrate?a1513
infatuate1533
disappoint1545
prevent1555
foila1564
blank1566
thwart1581
confute1589
dispurpose1607
shorten1608
foola1616
vain1628
balk1635
throwa1650
scotch1654
bafflea1674
crossbar1680
transverse1770
tomahawk1773
throttle1825
wreck1855
stultify1865
derail1889
to pull the plug1923
rank1924
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xxi. 9 Yet to be knowne shortens my made intent. View more context for this quotation
c. To keep from the attainment of.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > hindrance > hindering completely or preventing > hinder completely or prevent [verb (transitive)] > from the attainment of something
warna1240
reject1533
forestall1577
disafford1609
shorten1837
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. iii. vii. 138 Whereon the Parlement, shortened of its prey, would look with yellow despair.
1850 J. S. Blackie tr. Æschylus Lyrical Dramas I. 234 Of thy due honours shortened.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > supply > provide or supply (something) [verb (transitive)] > keep ill-supplied
to hold or keep (a person) shortc1425
strait1513
scant1565
starve1570
scantle1581
shorten1599
scant1600
scant1607
short1620
straiten1627
famish1667
limit1670
scrimp1691
under-furnish1694
stint1722
1599 Life Sir T. More in C. Wordsworth Eccl. Biog. (1853) II. 51 So shortened of money..he was rid of many occasions that hinder good proceedings.
1621 R. Cocks Diary (1883) II. 149 I knew they had..shortned thenglish in all they demanded, contrary to the kinges promis.
5. Nautical.in extended use.1823 W. Scott St. Ronan's Well III. iv. 90 ‘You are a gay old gentleman!’ said Jekyl, relaxing his pace; ‘and if we must be fellow-travellers..I must even shorten sail for you.’
a. to shorten sail(s: to take in some of the sails of a vessel in order to slacken speed.
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society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > use of sails, spars, or rigging > support (an amount of) sail [verb (intransitive)] > reduce sail
to shorten sail(s1627
1627 J. Smith Sea Gram. ix. 44 As you approach the shore, shorten your sailes.
1748 B. Robins & R. Walter Voy. round World by Anson i. iv. 35 We shortned sail for her to come up with us.
1805 Ld. Nelson Let. 10 Oct. in Dispatches & Lett. (1846) VII. 107 The Ships of the Fleet are directed, particularly in the night, to shorten sail.
1884 Times (Weekly ed.) 25 Feb. 15/3 Sail is being shortened all round.
b. to shorten in: to heave in (the cable) so that a shorter length remains overboard. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > berthing, mooring, or anchoring > berth, moor, or anchor (a ship) [verb (transitive)] > anchor (a ship) > slacken off or shorten (cable)
to stick out1770
to shorten in1803
1803 in Naval Documents U.S. Wars Barbary Powers (U.S. Office Naval Records) (1941) III. 39 When at Single Anchor, he is to attend the ship at the turnings of the tide and be careful that in little winds the cable be shortened in.
1854 G. B. Richardson Univ. Code (ed. 12) v. 1284 Shorten in cable.
1854 G. B. Richardson Univ. Code (ed. 12) v. 4981 Shorten in tow-lines.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. (at cited word) Shorten in, when alluding to the anchor, by heaving in cable.
6. To make ‘short’ or friable. Also (of manure) intransitive for reflexive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > become less dense [verb (intransitive)] > become loose in texture > be or become friable
to work short1725
shorten1733
the world > matter > constitution of matter > lack of density > make less dense [verb (transitive)] > loosen texture > make friable
subtilizea1722
shorten1733
1733 W. Ellis Chiltern & Vale Farming 24 The Chalk or Sand will shorten and crumble the Clay before the Plough.
1733 W. Ellis Chiltern & Vale Farming 30 They as carefully take care to clamp up their Yard Dungs..in order to rot and shorten against the next Wheat or Barly Season.
1832 Louisville Directory 98 [The flour] was shortened, as the housewife phrases it, with racoon fat.
1883 Harper's Mag. Apr. 659/1 The crust being shortened with..suet.
7. To put (a child) into short clothes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > providing with clothing > provide with clothing [verb (transitive)] > in specific way > with specific garments > short clothes
short-coat1784
shorten1871
tuck1888
1871 Punch 9 Dec. 240/1 An authentic fragment of the blue sash he wore the day he was shortened.
1897 H. Caine Christian i. i. 6 At the end of the first year she wrote: ‘I have shortened our darling’.
Derivatives
ˈshortened adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > [adjective] > shortened
docked1408
abbreviatec1425
abridged?c1430
shorted1483
abbreviatedc1487
curtailed1561
curted1568
curtala1592
shortened1598
curt1665
brief1668
curtate1893
1598 A. M. tr. J. Guillemeau Frenche Chirurg. 57/3 The dissease of a shortened tunge.
1645 J. Milton Passion i, in Poems 17 In Wintry solstice like the shortn'd light Soon swallow'd up in dark and long out-living night.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite iii, in Fables 67 That none shall dare With shortned Sword to stab in closer War.
1816 R. Jameson Treat. External Characters Minerals (ed. 2) 194 Shortened heavy-spar.
1825 W. Scott Talisman ix, in Tales Crusaders IV. 195 His red and inflamed eye, his heated hand, and his shortened respiration.
1857 C. Kingsley Two Years Ago I. ii. 66 Ships..driving fast to the eastward with shortened sail.
1874 W. E. Gladstone Corr. on Church & Relig. (1910) I. 397 The Bills for Clerical Subscription..and the Shortened Services.
1913 G. K. Chesterton Victorian Age in Lit. 30 Tom Moore,..a shortened shadow of Lord Byron.
ˈshortening adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [adjective] > shortening
shorteningc1000
the world > space > extension in space > measurable spatial extent > longitudinal extent > shortness > [adjective] > becoming short(er)
shortening1626
c1000 Sax. Leechd. III. 252 Se sceortigenda dæg hæfð liðran gewederu þonne se langienda dæg.
1626 G. Sandys tr. Ovid Metamorphosis ix. 194 Her shortning curles scarce hang beneath her eares.
1786 R. Burns Cotter's Sat. Night ii, in Poems & Songs (1968) I. 146 The short'ning winter-day is near a close.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita II. viii. 263 In the shortening days of 1845.
Draft additions 1993
8. intransitive. Horse Riding. Elliptical for to shorten one's stride at stride n. 1c. Usually said of the horse; occasionally metonymically of the rider. Also with up.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > equestrian sports except racing > take part in equestrian sports except racing [verb (intransitive)] > shorten stride of horse
shorten1981
1981 Washington Post 27 Oct. e4/5 His strategy was to ‘keep the flow of the horse's stride steady and not shorten up around the corners’.
1986 Horse & Rider Sept. 16/1 He is fairly short backed and so he can shorten and bounce as required.
1987 Carriage Driving Spring 11/1 My first duty after the initial inspection was to observe each of the novice singles at the walk and trot to ascertain soundness..and..I felt that two of the ponies were shortening behind.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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