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 verb1: to contract or curl up the body or part of it : huddle, cower2 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 : dwindle3 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