shrink

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shrink[1,verb] shrink[2,noun] shrink-wrap

Main Entry: ¹shrink
Pronunciation: 'shri[ng]k, especially Southern 'sri[ng]k
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): shrank /'shra[ng]k, 'sra[ng]k /; or shrunk /'shr&[ng]k, 'sr&[ng]k/; shrunk or shrunk·en /'shr&[ng]-k&n, 'sr&[ng]-/; shrink·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back
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
synonym see CONTRACT, RECOIL
- shrink·able /'shri[ng]-k&-b&l, 'sri[ng]-/ adjective
- shrink·er noun