foreshorten

Other forms: foreshortened; foreshortening; foreshortens

When an artist foreshortens, she makes an object appear closer or a distance shorter than it is, to create a sense of depth in a painting or drawing.

To foreshorten is to create a kind of optical illusion simply by making lines shorter or angling the perspective in a certain way. It's a technique used in art and design, but it's also a phenomenon you may observe in the world: "The angle from which she's looking foreshortens the mountain, making it look closer." This word dates from about 1600.

Definitions of foreshorten

1. verb

   shorten lines in a drawing so as to create an illusion of depth
   type of:

   shorten

   make shorter than originally intended; reduce or retrench in length or duration
2. verb

   reduce in scope while retaining essential elements
   synonyms: abbreviate, abridge, contract, cut, reduce, shorten

   cut, edit, edit out

   cut and assemble the components of

   types:

   bowdlerise, bowdlerize, castrate, expurgate, shorten

   edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

   concentrate, condense, digest

   make more concise

   capsule, capsulise, capsulize, encapsulate

   put in a short or concise form; reduce in volume

   telescope

   make smaller or shorter

   type of:

   decrease, lessen, minify

   make smaller