— shrinkable , adj. — shrinkingly , adv.
/shringk/ , v. , shrank or, often, shrunk; shrunk or shrunken; shrinking; n.
v.i.
1. to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance: to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.
2. to contract or lessen in size, as from exposure to conditions of temperature or moisture: This cloth will not shrink if washed in lukewarm water.
3. to become reduced in extent or compass.
v.t.
4. to cause to shrink or contract; reduce.
5. Textiles. to cause (a fabric) to contract during finishing, thus preventing shrinkage, during laundering, of the garments made from it.
n.
6. an act or instance of shrinking.
7. a shrinking movement.
8. shrinkage.
9. Also, shrinker . Also called head shrinker . Slang. a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or psychoanalyst.
[ bef. 900; 1955-60 for def. 9; ME schrinken, OE scrincan; c. MD schrinken, Sw skrynka to shrink, Norw skrukka old shrunken woman ]
Syn. 1. withdraw, recoil, quail. See wince. 3. See decrease .
Ant. 3. increase.