foreshorten Definition
- 1depict or describe (an object or view) as closer than it is or as having less depth or distance, as an effect of perspective or the angle of vision
- 2shorten (a word or phrase) by combination or elision
Using foreshorten: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "foreshorten" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The artist foreshortened the figure to create a sense of depth.
Example
The word 'don't' is a foreshortened form of 'do not'.
Example
The photographer used foreshortening to make the building look taller.
foreshorten Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with foreshorten
foreshorten one's life
to shorten one's life through unhealthy habits or risky behavior
Example
Smoking can foreshorten one's life by several years.
foreshorten the odds
to reduce the probability of something happening
Example
By taking precautions, we can foreshorten the odds of accidents happening.
foreshorten one's perspective
to limit one's understanding or viewpoint of a situation
Example
If you only listen to one side of the story, you foreshorten your perspective and may not see the whole picture.
Origins of foreshorten
from Old English 'forcortian', meaning 'to shorten'
Summary: foreshorten in Brief
To 'foreshorten' [fɔːˈʃɔːtn] means to depict or describe an object or view as closer or shorter than it is, often using perspective or angle of vision. It can also mean to shorten a word or phrase by combining or eliding parts. Examples include 'The artist foreshortened the figure to create a sense of depth,' and 'The word 'don't' is a foreshortened form of 'do not'.' Phrases like 'foreshorten one's life' and 'foreshorten one's perspective' extend the concept to other contexts.
