[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/shrivel/)

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# shrivel

verb (shrivel, shrivels, shrivelled (UK) / shriveled (US), shrivelling (UK) / shriveling (US))

«shrivel» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To become smaller, dry and wrinkled, often because of heat, cold or lack of water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#m1)
2. To make something do this. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#m2)
3. (figurative) To feel very small or ashamed: "I shrivelled with embarrassment." [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#m3)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x1)
- Grapes shrivel into raisins when they dry. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x2)
- My fingers shrivel in the bath. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x3)
- The leaves shrivelled up and fell off. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x4)
- The slug shrivelled when salt touched it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x5)
- I shrivelled with embarrassment when I fell over on stage. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x6)
- Till thy skin shrivels up and thou art a skeleton! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/#x7)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shrivel/#x1)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «shrivel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/shrivel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«shrivel» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/shrivel.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «shrivel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/shrivel/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«shrivel» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/shrivel.html) on Mova free.