An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. Having little length. Not tall or high.
   
2. Lasting for only a small amount of time.

Etymology (EN): M.E. schort; O.E. sceort; cf. O.N. skorta “to be short of,” skort “shortness;” O.H.G. scurz “short.”

Etymology (PE): Kutâh “short,” related to kucak “small,” kudak “child, infant;” Mid.Pers. kôtâh “low,” kôtak “small, young; baby;” Av. kutaka- “little, small.”