curtare: decurtare (with the idea of maiming or mangling): detrahere aliquid (in respect of number): contrahere (e.g., orationem): in angustum cogere (to contract, abridge; e.g., commentarios, Sen., Ep., 39, 1): amputare (general term, to cut shorter; e.g., orationem): imminuere (to abridge the number of syllables in pronouncing a word, as, audisse for audivisse, Cic., Or., 47, in.): notare (to abbreviate in writing).