To take in the slack of (a rope).
To reduce or diminish in amount, quantity, or extent; to lessen.
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).
To clear from complication or difficulty; to unfold; to solve.
To separate the threads (of); disentangle.
To become separated; (of something woven, knitted, etc.) to come apart.
To separate the connected or united parts of; to throw into disorder; to confuse.
To become undone; to collapse.