Shortcutting

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. The act of taking a quicker or more direct route to reach a destination ; bypassing usual steps or procedures to save time or effort ; employing an easier or less thorough method to accomplish a task
2. The process of using an alternative path that reduces distance or duration ; skipping standard sequences or formalities for expediency ; choosing a simpler approach to complete an activity more swiftly
3. A method involving cutting through intervening space or steps to save time ; omitting regular stages or protocols for faster results ; utilizing a less complex strategy to achieve an objective efficiently

Etymology: "Shortcutting" is simply the -ing form of "shortcut," so its history is the history of that compound. The first half, "short," goes back through Old English "sċort" and the Proto-Germanic "skurtaz" to a root meaning cut off or shortened, which makes sense given that a shortened distance is the core idea. The second half, "cut," comes from Middle English "cutten," a verb for slicing or dividing. Put together, "shortcut" describes a route that cuts a distance short, literally a cut that makes the journey shorter. The noun appeared first, and the verb and its -ing forms followed from it, so "shortcutting" describes the act of taking such routes. Its meaning has also widened beyond travel: people now speak of shortcutting a process, a procedure, or a careful task when they skip steps to finish sooner.

Synonyms: bypassing, skipping, cutting corners

Antonyms: following, completing, not skipping