shrivel

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to become or make something dry and wrinkled, often due to loss of moisture

   The leaves began to shrivel in the heat.

2. 2
   verb

   to become or make something smaller and less important

   His confidence seemed to shrivel after the criticism.

Of Germanic origin, ultimately from a root meaning 'to cut or shrink'; recorded in Middle English (14th c.) shrivel ('to contract; to wrinkle') into Modern English shrivel ('to contract and wrinkle, often from loss of moisture').

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