v.
(past shrank; past part. shrunk or (especially as adj.) shrunken)
- become or make smaller in size or amount; contract.
▸(of clothes or material) become smaller as a result of being immersed in water.
- move back or away in fear or disgust.
▸
(shrink from)
be unwilling to do (something).
n.
informal a psychiatrist.
Derivative
- shrinkable adj.
- shrinker n.
Etymology
OE scrincan, of Gmc origin; the noun is from headshrinker.