ə.ˈbɹiː.vi.eɪt əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ əˈbɹɪd͡ʒ ˈbaʊd.lə.ˌɹaɪz ˈkæs.tɹeɪt kənˈtɹækt kʌt

ˈɛks.pɚ.ɡeɪt ɹɪˈdjuːs ɹɪˈduːs ˈʃɔːtən ˈʃɔɹtən edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate bowdlerize a novel reduce in scope while retaining essential elements The manuscript must be shortened become short or shorter In winter, the days shorten make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration He shortened his trip due to illness make short or shorter shorten the skirt shorten the rope by a few inches