I. ˈshriŋk, especially Southern ˈsriŋk verb
( shrank ˈshraŋk, ˈsraŋk ; or shrunk ˈshrəŋk, ˈsrəŋk ; shrunk or shrunk·en ˈshrəŋ-kən, ˈsrəŋ- ; shrink·ing )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1. : to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle , cower
2.
a. : to contract to less extent or compass
b. : to become smaller or more compacted
c. : to lose substance or weight
d. : to lessen in value : dwindle
3.
a. : to recoil instinctively (as from something painful or horrible)
shrank from the challenge
b. : to hold oneself back : refrain
did not shrink from telling the truth
transitive verb
: to cause to contract or shrink ; specifically : to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes
Synonyms: see contract , recoil
• shrink·able ˈshriŋ-kə-bəl, ˈsriŋ- adjective
• shrink·er noun
II. noun
Date: 1590
1. : the act of shrinking
2. : shrinkage
3.
[short for headshrinker ]
: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist