Found 1 items, similar to To shorten a rope.
English → English (gcide) Definition: To shorten a rope Shorten \Short"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shortened ?; p. pr. & vb. n. Shortening.] [See Short, a.] 1. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity. [1913 Webster] 2. To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen; to abridge; to curtail; to contract; as, to shorten work, an allowance of food, etc. [1913 Webster] Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 3. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of. [1913 Webster] Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears. --Dryden. [1913 Webster] 4. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like. [1913 Webster] To shorten a rope (Naut.), to take in the slack of it. To shorten sail (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in. [1913 Webster]