See Also: shrivel(medicine)
shrivel(1)(dictionary)
shrivel(2)(dictionary)
shrivel(dictionary)

shrivel(2) (iou)



shrivel verb. Infl. -ll-, *-l-. M16.
[Perh. from Old Norse: cf. Swedish dial. skryvla wrinkle. See also SWIVEL verb2.]
verb trans. Cause to contract or shrink by wrinkling or curling, esp. from lack of moisture. Freq. foll. by up. M16.
T. Hook The lamb was shrivelled up to a cinder. H. B. Stowe That fearful collapse shrivels the most healthy countenance..to the shrunken..image of decrepit old age.
b. fig. Cause to lose will, desire, or momentum; make ineffectual or insignificant. M17.
L. Lochhead My sharp tongue will shrivel any man.
verb intrans. Contract or shrink by wrinkling or curling, esp. from lack of moisture. Also foll. by up, away. L16.
K. Vonnegut You'll shrivel up like a raisin.
b. fig. Lose will, desire, or momentum; become ineffectual or insignificant. L17.
New Musical Express It makes most of the present Radio One playlist shrivel into insignificance. P. Angadi Mary's conviction shrivelled at once.
shrivelled ppl adjective (a) contracted or shrunk into wrinkles, esp. from lack of moisture; (b) (of a person) having wrinkled skin, shrunken with age; (c) fig. diminished adversely, constricted: M16.