Shrink /(?)/
Shrink
v. i.
imp. Shrank; p. p. Shrunk; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrinking
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To wrinkle, bend, or curl; to shrivel; hence, to contract into a less extent or compass; to gather together; to become compacted.
And on a broken reed he still did stay His feeble steps, which shrunk when hard thereon he lay.
I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes, will shrink or draw into less room.
Against this fire do I shrink up.
And shrink like parchment in consuming fire.
All the boards did shrink.
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To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress.
What happier natures shrink at with affright, The hard inhabitant contends is right.
They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank from the task.
- To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it; to shudder; to quake. [R.]
Shrink
v. t.
- To cause to contract or shrink; as, to shrink finnel by imersing it in boiling water.
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To draw back; to withdraw. [Obs.]
The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn.
Phrases & Compounds
- To shrink on
- to fix (one piece or part) firmly around (another) by natural contraction in cooling, as a tire on a wheel, or a hoop upon a cannon, which is made slightly smaller than the part it is to fit, and expanded by heat till it can be slipped into place.
Shrink
n.
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The act shrinking; shrinkage; contraction; also, recoil; withdrawal.
Yet almost wish, with sudden shrink, That I had less to praise.
- a psychiatrist. [Coll.]