shortSHORT, a. [L. curtus.] 1. Not long; not having great length or extension; as a short distance; a short ferry; a short flight; a short piece of timber. The bed is shorter than a man can stretch himself on it. Is. 28. 2. Not extended in time; not of long duration. The triumphing of the wicked is short. Job 20. 3. Not of usual or suffifient length, reach or extent. Weak though I am of limb, and short of sight. Pope. 4. Not of long duration; repeated at small intervals of time; as short breath. 5. Not of adequate extent or quantity; not reaching the point demanded, desired or expected; as a quantity short of our expectations. Not therefore am I short Of knowing what I ought. Milton. 6. Deficient; defective; imperfect. This account is short of the truth. 7. Not adequate; insufficient; scanty; as, provisions are short; a short allowance of water for the voyage. 8. Not sufficiently supplied; scantily furnished. the English were inferior in number, and grew short in their provisions. |