(a) To make (sth.) shorter in extent by cutting, cauterizing, etc.; also fig.; ?mow (a field) [quot.: c1460]; ~ wei (passage), decrease the length of (a journey); also, bring about (someone's) death [quot.: 1470]; with honde shorted, fig. weakened in political or military power; (b) to contract (a tendon, the body, etc.); also, of a tendinous bodily part, etc.: contract.

(a) To shorten (a time period); decrease the duration of (a journey, suffering, etc.); ~ counseil, shorten discussion, act hastily; ~ lesse, make (a long duration) shorter; ~ matere, ?shorten (legal proceedings); ~ of, lessen the duration of (one's suffering); ben shorted, of a time period: be shortened; also, of a number of years: be counted by lunar, not solar, years [quot.: a1387]; (b) ~ age, ~ lif daies (lives dai), to reduce the length of (someone's) life; ~ daies (lif), reduce the length of (someone's, one's own) life; also, destroy or take (someone's, one's own) life; ~ of daies, deprive (sb.) of life; (c) to decrease in duration; of life: end; ben shorted, decrease in duration; (d) of an event: ?to come closer; make (an event) occur sooner; (e) to make (a period of time, journey) seem shorter, make pass more quickly; (f) ?mistransl. based on misreading of L currit 'continues' as curtit [?for curtat 'shortens'].

(a) To make (a book, liturgy) briefer; also, cut short (someone's discourse); (b) to contract (a word, phrase); ?also, pronounce (a word) with a short vowel; (c) of breathing: to become difficult or short; ben shorted.