Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

The act of making or becoming short or shorter.

(Cookery)

That which renders pastry short or friable, as butter, lard, etc.

ppr.

Making shorter; contracting.

Noun.

Something used in cookery to make paste short or friable, as butter or lard.

shortening ‎(plural shortenings)

(US, cooking) Solid fat, such as margarine, lard or butter, used to make shortcrust pastry.
verbal noun of shorten

act of shortening

shortening