See Also: Shortness(medicine)
shortness(dictionary)
Shortness of breath(medicine)

shortness (iou)



shortness noun. OE.
[from SHORT adjective + -NESS.]
The quality or fact of being short in duration, linear extent, etc.; brevity. Opp. length. OE.
b. Brevity or conciseness in speech or writing. LME-L16.
c. A short period of time. L16-L17.
Defective range or extent of vision or memory. M17.
Defectiveness, imperfection; in pl. defects, shortcomings. M17-M18.
The condition of being short of something; deficiency, lack (of money, food, etc.); scarcity. M17.
The quality of being short in texture or substance; friability, brittleness. M17.
Phrases: for shortness (now rare) for the sake of brevity, to save time or distance. shortness of breath difficulty in breathing, breathlessness.