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Shrivelling Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ
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shrivelling

[หˆสƒrษชvษ™lษชล‹ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

physical change

Shrivelling refers to the process of something becoming shrunken, wrinkled, or withered, often as a result of drying out or losing moisture. It commonly happens to fruits, plants, or even skin as it ages or becomes dehydrated.

Synonyms

desiccate, dry, wilt, wither.

Examples of usage

  • The leaves were shrivelling in the extreme heat.
  • After being left out, the apple began shrivelling.
  • The unused dough started shrivelling up.
  • Her hands appeared shrivelling due to age.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Botany

  • Plants often shrivel during droughts when they do not receive enough water, affecting growth and health.
  • Certain fruits, like grapes, naturally shrivel when dried, transforming into raisins, a popular snack.

Health

  • As people age, their skin can shrivel due to loss of elasticity and moisture, which is a normal part of aging.
  • Dehydration can lead to shrivelling in the human body, where skin and organs may lose their normal shape and size.

Culinary Arts

  • Shrivelling is a key process in food preservation, like making sun-dried tomatoes where moisture is removed to enhance flavor.
  • In cooking, ingredients like vegetables can shrivel when overcooked, affecting texture and taste.

Literature

  • In literature, shrivelling can be a metaphor for loss, decay, or the passage of time, often used to evoke emotion.
  • Poets often describe the shrivelling of leaves in fall as a representation of change and transition in life.

Origin of 'shrivelling'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'shrivel' comes from Old English 'scryflian', which means to wither or fade.
  • Similar words in other languages, such as Latin 'nudare', also relate to losing moisture or vitality.

The word 'shrivel' originates from the Old English 'scrศณflian,' meaning to 'shrink' or 'wither.' The term has been in use since at least the 15th century, predominantly used to describe the physical state of being wrinkled or shrunk, particularly in reference to organic matter like plants and skin. Its etymological roots can be traced further back to the Proto-Germanic *skrewilล, which is related to terms in other Germanic languages that denote shrivelling and drying. Over the centuries, 'shrivel' has maintained its focus on the physical consequences of dehydration, demonstrating a consistent association with the loss of vitality or freshness.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,420, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.