The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shrank \Shrank\,
imp. of Shrink.
[1913 Webster] Shrap
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.
[1913 Webster]
And on a broken reed he still did stay
His feeble steps, which shrunk when hard thereon he
lay. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes,
will shrink or draw into less room. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
Against this fire do I shrink up. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
And shrink like parchment in consuming fire.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
All the boards did shrink. --Coleridge.
[1913 Webster]
2. To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action
from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress.
[1913 Webster]
What happier natures shrink at with affright,
The hard inhabitant contends is right. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank
from the task. --Jowett
(Thucyd.)
[1913 Webster]
3. To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body,
or part of it; to shudder; to quake. [R.] --Shak.
[1913 Webster]