shorten, curtail, abbreviate, abridge, retrench mean to reduce in extent. shorten implies reduction in length or duration.
//shorten a speech curtail adds an implication of cutting that in some way deprives of completeness or adequacy.
// ceremonies curtailed because of rain abbreviate implies a making shorter usually by omitting some part.
// using an abbreviated title abridge implies a reduction in compass or scope with retention of essential elements and a relative completeness in the result.
// the abridged version of the novel retrench suggests a reduction in extent or costs of something felt to be excessive.
// declining business forced the company to retrench