shortening

(noun) fat such as butter or lard used in baked goods.

(noun) act of decreasing in length. Example: "The dress needs shortening."

(verb) make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration. Synonyms: shorten. Example: "He shortened his trip due to illness."

(verb) reduce in scope while retaining essential elements. Synonyms: abridge, foreshorten, abbreviate, shorten, cut, contract, reduce. Example: "The manuscript must be shortened."

(verb) make short or shorter. Synonyms: shorten. Examples: "Shorten the skirt." "Shorten the rope by a few inches."

(verb) become short or shorter. Synonyms: shorten. Example: "In winter, the days shorten."

(verb) edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate. Synonyms: bowdlerize, bowdlerise, expurgate, castrate, shorten. Example: "Bowdlerize a novel."