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shrank |
2 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Shrank \Shrank\, imp. of {Shrink}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Shrink \Shrink\, v. i. [imp. {Shrank}or {Shrunk}p. p. {Shrunk} or {Shrunken}, but the latter is now seldom used except as a participial adjective; p. pr & vb n. {Shrinking}.] [OE. shrinken, schrinken AS scrincan akin to OD schrincken and probably to Sw skrynka a wrinkle, skrynkla to wrinkle, to rumple, and E. shrimp, n. & v., scrimp. CF {Shrimp}.] 1. 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. --Spenser. I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes, will shrink or draw into less room --Bacon. Against this fire do I shrink up --Shak. And shrink like parchment in consuming fire. --Dryden. All the boards did shrink. --Coleridge. 2. 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 --Pope. They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank from the task. --Jowett (Thucyd.) 3. To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it to shudder; to quake. [R.] --Shak.
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