make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration; He shortened his trip due to illness'

reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; The manuscript must be shortened

[ Syn: abridge , foreshorten , abbreviate , cut , contract , reduce ]

make short or shorter; shorten the skirt; shorten the rope by a few inches'

become short or shorter; In winter, the days shorten'

edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate; bowdlerize a novel

[ Syn: bowdlerize , bowdlerise , expurgate , castrate ]