foreshorten

/fɔ:'ʃɔ:tn/

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Word: Foreshorten

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition: The word "foreshorten" means to make something seem shorter than it really is, especially in art, by adjusting the way it is drawn. This technique creates an illusion of depth or perspective, making objects appear closer or further away. It can also mean to reduce something in length or size while keeping the most important parts.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "foreshorten" when talking about art, drawing, or when you want to describe reducing something while keeping its main features.

Examples:

1. Art Context: "In her painting, the artist decided to foreshorten the tree branches to give the viewer a sense of depth."
2. General Context: "To meet the deadline, the writer had to foreshorten the report, focusing only on the key points."

Advanced Usage:

In advanced contexts, "foreshorten" can be used in discussions about literature or presentations, where the idea of condensing information while maintaining key themes is necessary. For example, "The speaker had to foreshorten his presentation to fit within the time limit without losing the main message."

Word Variants:

• Foreshortening (noun): The act of making something appear shorter or the technique used in art.
  • Example: "Foreshortening is a common technique in perspective drawing."

Different Meanings:

While "foreshorten" primarily relates to visual art and the reduction of text, it can also imply simplifying complex ideas or concepts in various fields such as education or communication.

Synonyms:

• Shorten
• Condense
• Reduce
• Compress
• Abbreviate

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that use "foreshorten," but you might encounter phrases like "cut down" or "trim down," which convey a similar idea of reducing length or size.

Summary:

"Foreshorten" is a versatile verb used mainly in art and writing. It helps create an illusion of depth or condenses information while keeping essential elements.

Academic

Verb

1. shorten lines in a drawing so as to create an illusion of depth
2. reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
   • The manuscript must be shortened

Synonyms

• abridge
• abbreviate
• shorten
• cut
• contract
• reduce