Lessen vs. Shorten

Lessenverb

(transitive) To make less; to diminish; to reduce.

Lessenverb

(intransitive) To become less.

Lessenverb

To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune.

Lessenverb

To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished; as, the apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them; his care, or his wealth, lessened.

Lessenverb

decrease in size, extent, or range;

Lessenverb

make smaller;

Lessenverb

wear off or die down;

Shortenverb

(transitive) To make shorter; to abbreviate.

Shortenverb

(intransitive) To become shorter.

Shortenverb

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

Shortenverb

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

Shortenverb

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

Shortenverb

To take in the slack of (a rope).

Shortenverb

To reduce (sail) by taking it in.

Shortenverb

To make short or shorter in measure, extent, or time; as, to shorten distance; to shorten a road; to shorten days of calamity.

Shortenverb

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.

Shortenverb

To make deficient (as to); to deprive; - with of.

Shortenverb

To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, pot liquor, or the like.

Shortenverb

To become short or shorter; as, the day shortens in northern latitudes from June to December; a metallic rod shortens by cold.

Shortenverb

make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration;

Shortenverb

reduce in scope while retaining essential elements;

Shortenverb

make short or shorter;

Shortenverb

become short or shorter;

Shortenverb

edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate;