shorten-v; 2 Senses

Sense Number 1: Make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration; become short or shorter in duration.

Commentary:
NOTE: Use for TEMPORAL duration

Examples:
He shortened his trip due to illness.
In winter, the days shorten.

Mappings:
VerbNet: other_cos-45.4
FrameNet: Change_event_duration
PropBank: shorten.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1, 4

Sense Number 2: Reduce in scope while retaining essential elements; edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate.

Commentary:
NOTE: Use for SPATIAL relationships

Examples:
The manuscript must be shortened.
The government forced him to shorten the novel.
She told the designer to shorten the skirt.
Shorten the rope by a few inches.

Mappings:
VerbNet: other_cos-45.4
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: shorten.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 2, 3, 5