Word Direct Answers

What does "shrink" mean?

Shrink: 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.)

Additional senses

  1. 2.To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it; to shudder; to quake. [R.] Shak.
  2. 3.To cause to contract or shrink; as, to shrink finnel by imersing it in boiling water.
  3. 4.To draw back; to withdraw. [Obs.] The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn. Milton. To shrink on (Mach.), 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.
  4. 5.The act shrinking; shrinkage; contraction; also, recoil; withdrawal. Yet almost wish, with sudden shrink, That I had less to praise. Leigh Hunt.

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