shrink´ing|ly

shrink´ing|ly: shrink¹ «shrihngk», verb, shrank or shrunk, shrunk or shrunk|en, shrink|ing, noun.

–v.i.

1. to draw back; recoil: »The dog shrank from the whip. That shy girl shrinks from meeting strangers.

2. a) to become smaller: »His wool sweater shrank when it was washed in hot water.

3. to become less: »When his influence began to shrink, his wealth also decreased.

–v.t.

to make smaller or less; cause to shrink: »Hot water shrinks wool. Are all thy conquests, glories, triumphs, spoils, Shrunk to this little measure? (Shakespeare).

–n.

a shrinking.

╂[Old English scrincan]

–shrink´a|ble, adjective.

–shrink´ing|ly, adverb.

Synonym Study intransitive verb. 1 Shrink, flinch mean to draw back from something painful, unpleasant, or the like. Shrink suggests drawing back physically or mentally because of instinctive fear, horror, or aversion: »to shrink at the sight of blood. He shrank from admitting his guilt.
Flinch suggests drawing back from danger, an unpleasant duty, or, especially, pain, because of weakness or lack of courage: »Spartans could bear torture without flinching. He flinched from adult responsibilities.

Usage Shrunken is still sometimes used as a past participle (»It had shrunken
), but is chiefly used as an adjective (»a shrunken face
).

shrink² «shrihngk», noun.

U.S. Slang. a psychiatrist: »Afflicted with chronic depression leading occasionally to acute paranoia,…he visits the shrink at the university health center (Harper's).

╂[< (head)-shrink(er)]

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shrink|ing violet — «SHRIHNG kihng», a person who is shy, timid, or self effacing: »We expect our rulers to be reasonably ambitious; shrinking violets are unfit for the harsh experience of power (John Grigg) … Useful english dictionary
un|shrink´ing|ly — un|shrink|ing «uhn SHRIHNG kihng», adjective. not shrinking: a) not drawing up or contracting. b) not drawing back or recoiling; unflinching; firm. –un|shrink´ing|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
un|shrink|ing — «uhn SHRIHNG kihng», adjective. not shrinking: a) not drawing up or contracting. b) not drawing back or recoiling; unflinching; firm. –un|shrink´ing|ly, adverb … Useful english dictionary
shrink´a|ble — shrink1 «shrihngk», verb, shrank or shrunk, shrunk or shrunk|en, shrink|ing, noun. –v.i. 1. to draw back; re … Useful english dictionary
shrink — pre·shrink; shrink; shrink·able; shrink·age; shrink·er; shrink·ing·ly; … English syllables
shrink — [[t]ʃrɪŋk[/t]] v. shrank, often, shrunk; shrunkshrunk•en; shrink•ing; 1) to contract or lessen in size: cloth that shrinks if washed[/ex] 2) to become reduced in extent, compass, or value 3) to draw back; recoil: to shrink from danger[/ex] 4) to… … From formal English to slang
flinch´ing|ly — flinch «flihnch», verb, noun. –v.i. 1. to draw back (from a difficulty, danger, or duty): »to flinch from the responsibilities of life. SYNONYM(S): quail. See syn. under shrink. (Cf. ↑shrink) 2. to shrink under physical pain; … Useful english dictionary
cring´ing|ly — cringe «krihnj», verb, cringed, cring|ing, noun. –v.i. 1. to shrink from danger or pain; crouch in fear: »The dog cringed at the sight of the whip. SYNONYM(S): cower. 2. to try to get favor by slavish attention or behavior: »The courtiers cringed … Useful english dictionary
crouch´ing|ly — crouch «krowch», verb, noun. –v.i. 1. to stoop low with bent legs like an animal ready to spring, or a person hiding: »The cat crouched in the corner waiting for the mouse to come out of its hole. The boys crouched under a bush when we played… … Useful english dictionary
shrinkingly — shrink·ing·ly … English syllables

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shrink´ing|ly

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shrink´ing|ly

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