foreshorten

/fɔrˈʃɔrtən/
verb
  1. To represent an object or figure as shorter than it actually is, in order to create an illusion of depth or distance in a drawing or painting.
    • In the mural, the horse's legs were foreshortened to give a sense of speed.
    • She learned how to foreshorten figures in her perspective drawing class.
    • The artist had to foreshorten the arm to make it look like it was reaching toward the viewer.
  2. To shorten or reduce the time, duration, or extent of something.
    • The budget cuts forced the director to foreshorten the film's production schedule.
    • His illness foreshortened his promising career as a musician.
    • We had to foreshorten our vacation because of the storm warning.
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