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v. shrank (shrăngk) or shrunk (shrŭngk), shrunk or shrunk·en (shrŭngkən), shrink·ing, shrinks v.intr. 1. a. To become or appear to become smaller: The shadows shrank as the sun rose higher. The mountains shrank in the distance as we drove away. b. To become smaller from exposure to heat, moisture, or cold: The sweater shrank in the wash. 2. To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle: His savings quickly shrank. The market for that product has been shrinking. 3. To move back or away, especially in fear: "She shrank back against the wall and flattened her palms against it" (Pearl S. Buck). 4. To show reluctance; hesitate: We should not shrink from making such a sacrifice. v.tr. To cause to shrink: The treatment shrank the tumor. n. 1. a. The act of shrinking. b. The degree to which something shrinks; shrinkage. 2. Slang A psychotherapist. [Middle English shrinken, to wither, shrivel up, from Old English scrincan; see sker-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] shrinka·ble adj. shrinker n. |
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