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1. The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Shrink \Shrink\, v. i. [imp. Shrankor Shrunkp. p. Shrunk
   or Shrunken, but the latter is now seldom used except as a
   participial adjective; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrinking.] [OE.
   shrinken, schrinken, AS. scrincan; akin to OD. schrincken,
   and probably to Sw. skrynka a wrinkle, skrynkla to wrinkle,
   to rumple, and E. shrimp, n. & v., scrimp. CF. Shrimp.]
   1. To wrinkle, bend, or curl; to shrivel; hence, to contract
      into a less extent or compass; to gather together; to
      become compacted.
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            And on a broken reed he still did stay
            His feeble steps, which shrunk when hard thereon he
            lay.                                  --Spenser.
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            I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes,
            will shrink or draw into less room.   --Bacon.
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            Against this fire do I shrink up.     --Shak.
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            And shrink like parchment in consuming fire.
                                                  --Dryden.
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            All the boards did shrink.            --Coleridge.
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   2. To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action
      from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress.
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            What happier natures shrink at with affright,
            The hard inhabitant contends is right. --Pope.
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            They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank
            from the task.                        --Jowett
                                                  (Thucyd.)
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   3. To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body,
      or part of it; to shudder; to quake. [R.] --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

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