To speak through the nose.
To make a nasal sound when speaking.
To lower the soft palate so that air flows through the nose during the articulation of a speech sound.
To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.
To take in the slack of (a rope).
To reduce (sail) by taking it in.
To become shorter.
To make shorter; to abbreviate.
To make short or friable, as pastry, with butter, lard, etc.
To make deficient (as to); to deprive (of).