I. ˈshr]iŋk, esp South ˈsr], dial ˈsw] verb
( shrank ]aŋk, ]aiŋk ; also shrunk ]əŋk ; shrunk or especially in adjectival use shrunk·en -kən sometimes -k ə ŋ ; shrinking ; shrinks )
Etymology: Middle English shrinken, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back, shrink back, Old Swedish skrunkin shrunken, Latin curvus curved — more at crown
intransitive verb
1. : to contract or curl up the body or part of it usually because of physical stress, fear, or revulsion : huddle , cower
shrink with cold
shrink in horror
seemed to shrink into himself — Gordon Merrick
found the atmosphere … so gusty that he was glad to shrink out of sight — Samuel Butler †1902
2.
a. : to contract to a less extent or compass
the black peaty earth shrank as soon as it was dry — G.M.Trevelyan
b. : to become smaller or more compacted (as from heat or wetting)
shrank over 30 5 after five launderings — For Instance
c. : to contract after the release of tension
nylon yarn, when wound off a package into skein form, shrinks … as much as 2.8 5 — W.E.Shinn
d. : to lose substance or weight (as in cooking)
meat shrinks in cooking by losing water and fat
e. : to lessen in value : dwindle
seeing their earnings shrink as overtime gave way to shorter work weeks — J.A.Lack
3.
a. : to draw back : retire to shelter
shrank toward a doorway some few yards on — Arthur Morrison
b.
(1) : to withdraw to avoid encounter : slink away
turns and shrinks from the room — Sidney Howard
(2) : flinch
refused to shrink from a … thrusting knife — Ward Moore
c. : to hold back (as from an action or responsibility) especially because of fear or distaste : recoil
a very formidable deed, but he was determined not to shrink from it — Eden Phillpotts
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to draw back or in (as a horn) : retract
make the Sun shrink in his beam — Edward Young
2.
a. archaic : to reduce (as the body) to smaller compass
her body huge she shrank — William Morris
b. : to cause to contract or shrink
human heads shrunk to orange-size — J.H.Cutler
c. : to compact (cloth) by causing to contract when subjected to washing, boiling, steaming, or other processes
d. : to make smaller or less significant
shrinking the office to the holder's ability
3.
a. archaic : to draw or move out of the way (a part of the body)
she shrank her hand back — George Meredith
b. obsolete : shrug
he shrunk up his shoulders at it — Daniel Defoe
Synonyms: see contract , recoil
•
- shrink on
- shrink out
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the act of shrinking : withdrawal , recoil
the shiver and shrink with which the sitter caught sight of him — Lew Wallace
2. : shrinkage
III. noun
1.
[short for headshrinker ]
: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist
2. : a woman's short usually sleeveless sweater often worn over a long-sleeved blouse or sweater