shorten

verb9

1. •
   To make shorter; to abbreviate.

   • York came round to our heads and shortened the rein himself, one hole I think; every little makes a difference, be it for better or worse, and that day we had a steep hill to go up. — 1877
2. •
   To become shorter.
3. •
   To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.

   • Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain. — 1699
4. •
   To take in the slack of (a rope).
5. •
   To reduce (sail) by taking it in.
6. •
   To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.
7. •
   To make crumbly.

   • Corn flour makes delicious pie crust, and needs less lard to shorten it. — 1894
8. •
   To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).

   • Spoiled of his nose, and shorten'd of his ears. — 1697
9. •
   (old-fashioned) to dress (a baby) in a short (rather than long) gown

   • Anne and Leslie had another cry the next week when they shortened Little Jem. Anne felt the tragedy of it until evening when in his long nightie she found her own dear baby again. — 1917