shortcut

noun

1. a shorter or quicker way.
2. a method, procedure, policy, etc., that reduces the time or energy needed to accomplish something.
3. Computers.
   1. a link to a software application, file, or website, usually represented as a graphical icon that can be clicked on to quickly access or open it: You can create a desktop shortcut to a web page you’ve visited.
   2. Also called keyboard shortcut. hotkey.

adjective

4. constituting or providing a shorter or quicker way: shortcut methods.

verb (used with object), short-cut, short-cut·ting.

1. to cause to be shortened by the use of a shortcut.

verb (used without object), short-cut, short-cut·ting.

2. to use or take a shortcut.

n.

also short-cut, “path not as long as the ordinary way,” 1610s, from short (adj.) + cut (n.). Figurative use is attested earlier (1580s).