Not having enough of something.
Not very tall or long.
When used to describe pastry, the term “short” refers to a desirable quality that is characterized by a very tender, flaky, and rich texture. This quality is often achieved by incorporating a significant amount of butter or other shortening into the pastry dough. However, it is worth noting that if too much shortening is used, the pastry may become excessively tender and prone to falling apart.