shorten

To make short or shorter.

To reduce in force, efficacy, or intensity.

To add shortening to (dough) so as to make flaky.

To take in (a sail) so that less canvas is exposed to the wind, thereby reducing speed.

To become short or shorter.

To become short or shorter; contract; diminish in length: as, ropes shorten when wet.

To make anything short: used with in in the nautical phrase to shorten in on the cable, to heave in short or shorter.

To come short; fail.

To make short or shorter; abridge; curtail: as, to shorten hours of work; to shorten the skirt of a dress.

To make appear short: as, pleasant companionship shortens a journey; a concave mirror shortens the face.