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shrivel

 - 3 dictionary results

shriv⋅el

  [shriv-uhl]
Use shrivel in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object), -eled, -el⋅ing or (especially British) -elled, -el⋅ling.
1. to contract and wrinkle, as from great heat, cold, or dryness.
2. to wither; make or become helpless or useless.
Origin:
1595–1605; akin to Sw skroflig uneven, rough (perh. orig. wrinkled, shrunken), dial. Sw skryvla to wrinkle, OE sceorfan to roughen; see scurf

Synonyms:
1. shrink. See wither.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To shrivel
shriv·el   (shrĭv'əl)   
intr. & tr.v.   shriv·eled or shriv·elled, shriv·el·ing or shriv·el·ling, shriv·els

  1. To become or make shrunken and wrinkled, often by drying: Leaves die, fall, and shrivel. The heat shriveled the unwatered seedlings.

  2. To lose or cause to lose vitality or intensity: My enthusiasm shriveled as the project wore on. Inflation shriveled the buying power of the dollar.

  3. To become or make much less or smaller; dwindle.


[Origin unknown.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

shrivel 
1565 (implied in shriveled), of unknown origin, perhaps from a Scand. source (cf. Swed. skryvla "to wrinkle, to shrivel").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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