shrivel Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb wither, as with a loss of moisture
    wither; shrink; shrivel up.
    • The fruit dried and shriveled
  2. verb decrease in size, range, or extent
    shrink.
    • His earnings shrank
    • My courage shrivelled when I saw the task before me

WordNet

Shriv"el intransitive verb
Etymology
Probably akin to shrimp, shrink; cf. dial. AS. screpa to pine away, Norw. skrypa to waste, skryp, skryv, transitory, frail, Sw. skröpling feeble, Dan. skröbelig, Icel. skrjpr brittle, frail.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Shriveled or Shrivelled; present participle & verbal noun Shriveling or Shrivelling
Definitions
  1. 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.
Shriv"el transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cause to shrivel or contract; to cause to shrink onto corruptions.

Webster 1913