shortcut

Etymology

From short + cut.

noun

1. A path between two points that is faster than the commonly used paths.
2. A method to accomplish something that omits one or more steps.
   East Midlands Railway is introducing new shortcuts for claiming compensation in the event of late-running services. November 3 2021, “Network News: EMR changes claims process”, in RAIL, number 943, page 15
3. (computing, in the Microsoft family of operating systems) A file that points to the location of another file and serves as a quick way to access it.
   There are shortcuts to some of my favourite applications on my desktop.
4. A keyboard shortcut: a combination of keystrokes that provides easier access to a command or operation.

verb

1. To take or use a shortcut