shorten

Entry Definition
it shortens or shrinks or contracts suddenly
(rope, leather thong, etc.) s/he, it shortens or shrinks or contracts suddenly
s/he cuts it short, curtails it, abbreviates it (something string-like, story, etc.)
s/he becomes shorter as s/he dries (e.g., rope)
it becomes shorter as it dries (e.g., leather shoelace)
it shortens or contracts when cold