General:
* Shortened form of a word: This is the most common meaning. For example, "short" can be short for "shortened," "shortage," or "shortcut."
* Opposite of long: In this case, "short" refers to something of limited length, duration, or height.
Specific examples:
* Short story: This is a genre of fiction that is shorter than a novel.
* Short circuit: This refers to an electrical fault that causes a sudden, unexpected flow of current.
* Shorts: This refers to a type of clothing, typically trousers that are shorter than pants.
To understand what "short" is short for, you need to consider the context in which it is used.