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 ]