What is "to shorten a rope"

Shorten \Short"en\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shortened ?; p. pr. & vb. n. Shortening.] [See Short, a.]

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

2. 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.

   Here, where the subject is so fruitful, I am shortened by my chain.
   --Dryden.

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

   Spoiled of his nose, and shortened of his ears.
   --Dryden.

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

   To shorten a rope (Naut.), to take in the slack of it.

   To shorten sail (Naut.), to reduce sail by taking it in.