shortening

• 有两个主要含义的名词：一是起酥油，即用于烘焙的油脂（如黄油或猪油），能使面团变得酥松、起层；二是缩短或减少长度、持续时间的行为或过程。

A noun with two distinct meanings: a fat (such as butter or lard) used in baking to make pastry or dough tender and flaky; or the act or process of making something shorter in length or duration.

不可数

1. Fat used in bakingB1formalculinary

   A solid fat, such as butter, lard, or vegetable shortening, used in baking to make pastries and cakes tender and flaky.

   起酥油

   • The recipe calls for a cup of vegetable shortening.
   • Butter can be used as a substitute for shortening in cookies.
   • Shortening helps create a light and crumbly texture in pie crusts.

2. Act of making shorterB2formal

   The process or act of reducing something in length, duration, or extent.

   缩短

   • The shortening of the workday improved employee morale.
   • The shortening of the rope made it easier to handle.
   • The shortening of the project timeline required more resources.

   同义词abbreviationcontractioncurtailmentcuttingdiminishinglesseningreductiontrimmingtruncation

• 动词，表示减少长度、持续时间或范围。

A verb used to indicate the act of making something shorter in length, duration, or extent.

1. Reduce length or durationB1formal

   To make something shorter than originally planned or intended, often by cutting time or length.

   缩短

   • The editor decided to shorten the article to fit the page.
   • We need to shorten the meeting to just 30 minutes.
   • The film was shortened by ten minutes for television.

   同义词abbreviateclipcondensecropcurtailcutlessenreducetrimtruncate

   反义词elongateextendlengthenprolong

2. Condense or abridgeB2formal

   To reduce the scope of something while keeping the essential parts intact.

   缩短

   • The professor shortened the lecture to cover only the main points.
   • They shortened the novel into a concise summary.
   • The report was shortened to include only key findings.

   同义词abbreviateabridgecompresscondensecurtailcutreducetruncate

   反义词elongateexpandextendlengthenprotract

3. Make physically shorterA2formal

   To reduce the physical length of an object.

   缩短

   • She shortened the dress by hemming it.
   • The tailor shortened the sleeves of the jacket.
   • He shortened the rope by cutting off a piece.

   同义词abbreviateclipcurtailcutdockreducetrimtruncate

   反义词elongateextendlengthen

4. Become shorterB1formal

   To decrease in length or duration over time.

   变短

   • The days shorten as winter approaches.
   • Her patience shortened as the delay continued.
   • The shadows shortened as the sun rose higher.

   同义词contractdecreasediminishdwindlelessenshrink

   反义词elongateextendlengthenprolong

5. Censor or sanitizeC1formal

   To edit a text by removing or altering parts considered offensive or inappropriate.

   删改

   • The publisher shortened the manuscript to remove explicit content.
   • The broadcast was shortened to avoid controversial statements.
   • They shortened the play by cutting out the more risqué scenes.

   同义词censorclean upexpurgateredact