[syn: shrink, shrivel]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shrivel \Shriv"el\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Shriveledor
Shrivelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriveling or Shrivelling.]
[Probably akin to shrimp, shrink; cf. dial. AS. screpa to
pine away, Norw. skrypa to waste, skryp, skryv, transitory,
frail, Sw. skr["o]pling feeble, Dan. skr["o]belig, Icel.
skrj?pr brittle, frail.]
To draw, or be drawn, into wrinkles; to shrink, and form
corrugations; as, a leaf shriveles in the hot sun; the skin
shrivels with age; -- often with up.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Shrivel \Shriv"el\, v. t.
To cause to shrivel or contract; to cause to shrink onto
corruptions.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
shrivel
v 1: wither, as with a loss of moisture; "The fruit dried and
shriveled" [syn: shrivel, shrivel up, shrink,
wither]
2: decrease in size, range, or extent; "His earnings shrank";
"My courage shrivelled when I saw the task before me" [syn:
shrink, shrivel]