shorten
UK: ˈʃɔːtn | US: ˈʃɔːrtn
vt. to make or become shorter in length, duration, or extent
vi. to decrease in size or duration
The word "shorten" combines "short" (from Old English scort, meaning "not long") with the verb-forming suffix "-en" (from Old English -nian), which means "to make or become." This suffix was commonly used in Middle English to create verbs from adjectives (e.g., "darken," "soften"). The logic is straightforward: "shorten" literally means "to make short," reflecting its modern usage in reducing length or duration.
She asked the tailor to shorten her dress by two inches.
The days shorten as winter approaches.
Using abbreviations can shorten your writing without losing meaning.
The teacher decided to shorten the lecture due to time constraints.
Regular pruning helps shorten the branches and encourage new growth.