Shorten, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shortened ; p. pr. & vb. n. Shortening.]
Etymology: [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.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Shorten, v. i.
To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists shorten only as an antonym, under protract.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.