v. To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or timev. To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen; to abridge; to curtail; to contractv. To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of.v. To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like.verb-intransitive. To become short or shorter