shrivel

Definition

To collapse inward; to crumble.

Etymology

First recorded as shriveled (“shrivelled”), probably of North Germanic origin related to dialectal Swedish skryvla (“to wrinkle, shrivel”); perhaps ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *skrinkwaną (“to shrivel, shrink”) or *skrimpaną (“to shrink”).

Example Sentences

• "The plant shrivelled from lack of water."
• "His fingers were shriveled from being in the bath for too long."
• "The hot sun shrivelled the leaves."