How would you interpret the word ‘short’ in the second sentence?
I think it is an adverb meaning abruptly. What do you think?
Thanks. It’s from A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (Chapter 9).

the context:
Outside we ran across the brickyard. A shell burst short near the river bank. Then there was one that we did not hear coming until the sudden rush. We both went flat and with the flash and bump of the burst and the smell heard the singing off of the fragments and the rattle of falling brick. Gordini got up and ran for the dugout. I was after him, holding the cheese, its smooth surface covered with brick dust. Inside the dugout were the three drivers sitting against the wall, smoking.

Question

How would you interpret the word ‘short’ in the second sentence?
I think it is an adverb meaning abruptly. What do you think?
Thanks. It’s from A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (Chapter 9).

the context:
Outside we ran across the brickyard. A shell burst short near the river bank. Then there was one that we did not hear coming until the sudden rush. We both went flat and with the flash and bump of the burst and the smell heard the singing off of the fragments and the rattle of falling brick. Gordini got up and ran for the dugout. I was after him, holding the cheese, its smooth surface covered with brick dust. Inside the dugout were the three drivers sitting against the wall, smoking.

Answer

It means it exploded short of its target i.e. before it reached the place that it was meant to burst. This is similar to the expression 'fall short of'.

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