Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity. 2. (v.) 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. 3. (v.) To make deficient (as to); to deprive; -- with of. 4. (v.) To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like. 5. (v. i.) To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SHORTEN shor'-t'-n: The Hebrew word qatsar and the Greek koloboo literally indicate abbreviation of time or space (Psalm 89:45 Proverbs 10:27 Ezekiel 42:5); figuratively they point to limitation of power or of suffering (Numbers 11:23 Isaiah 50:2; Isaiah 59:1 Matthew 24:22 Mark 13:20).

Multi-Version Concordance Shorten (1 Occurrence) Mark 13:20 Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days. (Root in WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)