Shorten comes from short plus the verb-forming suffix -en; short is from Old English sceort ('short'), from Proto-Germanic *skurtaz. The suffix is part of the word's derivational shape, marking the final grammatical or semantic role while the base supplies the central meaning. As a verb, it means "to make or become shorter in length, duration, or extent", so the modern sense keeps the older action or relation visible. Relevant historical forms include Old English sceort and Proto-Germanic *skurtaz. Derivative forms include shortened, shortening; related words include short, shortness.