Prolongational reduction can be defined as a reduction in the length of a musical phrase or a musical idea. There are several synonyms for this term that can be used to express the same idea in different ways. Some of these include abbreviation, contraction, abridgement, shortening, and compression. In addition to these synonyms, there are also related musical terms such as cadence, which refers to the harmonic resolution at the end of a phrase, and diminution, which refers to the reduction of rhythmic or melodic values within a phrase. Understanding these different terms and how they relate to one another can help music students and professionals better communicate their ideas and interpretations of musical works.