Shrink

v. i. [imp. & p. p. SHRUNK; p. pr. & vb. n. SHRINKING. The old imp. SHRANK, and p. p. SHRUNKEN, are nearly obsolete.] [A-S. scrincan, Sw. skrynka, O. D. schrincken.] 1. To become wrinkled by contraction; to draw back and offer less space than before; to shrivel; to contract; to dry up. 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. 3. To express fear, horror, or pain by shrugging or contracting the body. [Rare.] Shak.

v. t. To cause to contract; as, to shrink flannel by immersing it in boiling water.

To shrink on (Mach.), to fix firmly one part around another, as a hoop upon a cannon, by making it slightly smaller than the part it is to fit, expanding it by heat till it can be slipped into place, and then allowing it to cool.

n. 1. The act of shrinking; a spontaneous drawing into less compass; corrugation; contraction.

2Sense 2. A withdrawing from fear or horror; recoil.