Main Entry: ¹shrink

Pronunciation: \ˈshriŋk, especially Southern ˈsriŋk\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): 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