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Not long; having brief length or linear extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight. The bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it. Isa. xxviii. 20.

A circuit formed or closed by a conductor of relatively low resistance because shorter or of relatively great conductivity.

Having short-breath, or quick respiration.

To join, as the electrodes of a battery or dynamo or any two points of a circuit, by a conductor of low resistance.

Having little time to run from the date. "Thy short-dated life." Sandys.

Short of, or lacking the regular number of, servants or helpers.

Having short intervals between the joints; -- said of a plant or an animal, especially of a horse whose pastern is too short.

Not living or lasting long; being of short continuance; as, a short-lived race of beings; short-lived pleasure; short-lived passion.

Speaking in a quick or short manner; hence, gruff; curt. [Colloq.]

Having a short waist.

Affected with shortness of breath; having a quick, difficult respiration, as dyspnoic and asthmatic persons. May.

Having little wit; not wise; having scanty intellect or judgment.

Amount or extent of deficiency, as determined by some requirement or standard; as, a shortage in money accounts.

An unsweetened breakfast cake shortened with butter or lard, rolled thin, and baked.

Coverings for the legs of men or boys, consisting of trousers which reach only to the knees, -- worn with long stockings.

The act of falling, or coming short; as:

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

One who, or that which, shortens.

The act of making or becoming short or shorter.

writing by substituting characters, abbreviations, or symbols, for letters, words, etc.; short writing; stenography. See Illust. under Phonography.