shrivel

Everyday

1. To become smaller, dry and wrinkled, often because of heat, cold or lack of water. tree →
2. To make something do this. tree →
3. (figurative) To feel very small or ashamed: "I shrivelled with embarrassment." tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, plants shrivel without water, and grapes shrivel into raisins when dried. In cooking, things shrivel in a hot pan. In stories, a character might shrivel under a fierce look. Phrases: shrivel up, shrivelled leaves, shrivel in the heat.

Examples

• The flowers shrivelled in the heat. tree →
• Grapes shrivel into raisins when they dry. tree →
• My fingers shrivel in the bath. tree →
• The leaves shrivelled up and fell off. tree →
• The slug shrivelled when salt touched it. tree →
• I shrivelled with embarrassment when I fell over on stage. tree →
• Till thy skin shrivels up and thou art a skeleton! tree →

Note

UK spelling doubles the l (shrivelled, shrivelling); US uses one l (shriveled). Adjective: shrivelled. Fingers wrinkle in water because of nerves controlling blood vessels, not just water soaking in.

In Jewish tradition

Means to dry up and wither. In Joel, grain shrivels in a plague of locusts and drought.

Interpretation. Tradition reads Joel's ruined crops as a call to repent and fast, after which God promises to restore the years the locusts ate.

Examples

• The grains shrivel under their hoes; the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered. (Prophets JOL.1.17, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

UK spelling doubles the l (shrivelled, shrivelling); US uses one l (shriveled). Adjective: shrivelled. Fingers wrinkle in water because of nerves controlling blood vessels, not just water soaking in.