(transitive) To make shorter; to abbreviate.

(intransitive) To become shorter.

(transitive) To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).

(transitive) To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.

(transitive) To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.

(baking, of pastries, transitive) To make crumbly.

(nautical, transitive) To take in the slack of (a rope).

(nautical, transitive) To reduce (sail) by taking it in.