shrink
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1shrink
verb \ˈshriŋk, especially Southern ˈsriŋk\shrank \ˈshraŋk, ˈsraŋk\ or shrunk \ˈshrəŋk, ˈsrəŋk\ shrunk or shrunk·en \ˈshrəŋ-kən, ˈsrəŋ-\ shrink·ing
Definition of SHRINK
intransitive verb
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
— shrink·able \ˈshriŋ-kə-bəl, ˈsriŋ-\ adjective
— shrink·er noun
See Examples of SHRINK
- The sweater shrank when it was washed.
- Meat shrinks as it cooks.
- The town's population shrank during the war.
- Hot water shrank the sweater.
- The treatment should shrink the tumor.
- He shrank in horror when he saw the dead cat.
Origin of SHRINK
Middle English, from Old English scrincan; akin to Middle Dutch schrinken to draw back
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to SHRINK
2shrink
nounDefinition of SHRINK
1
: the act of shrinking
2
3
[short for headshrinker] : a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist
Examples of SHRINK
- He is seeing a shrink.
First Known Use of SHRINK
1590
shrink
noun \ˈshriŋk\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of SHRINK
: a clinical psychiatrist or psychologist—called also headshrinker
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