Short"cake` (?), n. An unsweetened breakfast cake shortened with butter
or lard, rolled thin, and baked.
Short" cir"cuit (?). (Elec.) A circuit formed or closed by a conductor
of relatively low resistance because shorter or of relatively great
conductivity.
Short"-cir`cuit, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Short-circuited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Short-circuiting.] (Elec.) To join, as the electrodes of a battery or
dynamo or any two points of a circuit, by a conductor of low
resistance.
Short"clothes` (?), n. Coverings for the legs of men or boys,
consisting of trousers which reach only to the knees, -- worn with long
stockings.
Short"com`ing (?), n. The act of falling, or coming short; as: (a) The
failure of a crop, or the like. (b) Neglect of, or failure in,
performance of duty.
Short"-dat`ed (?), a. Having little time to run from the date. "Thy
short-dated life." Sandys.
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.
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.
Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain.
Dryden.