n. A nickname for auricular confession; shrift. [ Obs. ] Cartwright. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Enshrined p. pr. & vb. n. Enshrining. ] To inclose in a shrine or chest; hence, to preserve or cherish as something sacred; as, to enshrine something in memory. [ 1913 Webster ]

We will enshrine it as holy relic. Massinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. See Enshrine. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Shrieked p. pr. & vb. n. Shrieking. ] [ OE. shriken, originallythe same word as E. screech. See Screech, and cf. Screak. ] To utter a loud, sharp, shrill sound or cry, as do some birds and beasts; to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or anguish. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was the owl that shrieked. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

At this she shrieked aloud; the mournful train
Echoed her grief. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To utter sharply and shrilly; to utter in or with a shriek or shrieks. [ 1913 Webster ]

On top whereof aye dwelt the ghostly owl,
Shrieking his baleful note. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

She shrieked his name
To the dark woods. Moore. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sharp, shrill outcry or scream; a shrill wild cry such as is caused by sudden or extreme terror, pain, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shrieks, clamors, murmurs, fill the frighted town. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shriek owl. (Zool.) (a) The screech owl. (b) The swift; -- so called from its cry. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who utters a shriek. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a sheriff. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Contr. from sheriffalty. See Shrieve, n. Sheriff. ] The office, or sphere of jurisdiction, of a sheriff; sheriffalty. [ 1913 Webster ]

It was ordained by 28 Edward I that the people shall have election of sheriff in every shire where the shrievalty is not of inheritance. Blackstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Contr. from OE. shereve. See Sheriff. ] A sheriff. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To shrive; to question. [ Obs. ] “She gan him soft to shrieve.” Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scrīfan to shrive. See Shrive. ] 1. The act of shriving. [ 1913 Webster ]

In shrift and preaching is my diligence. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Confession made to a priest, and the absolution consequent upon it. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Therefore, my lord, address you to your shrift,
And be yourself; for you must die this instant. Rowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shrift father, a priest to whom confession is made. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Shriek. ] A shriek; shrieking. [ Obs ] Spenser. “All hoarse for shright.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

obs. imp. & p. p. of Shriek. [ 1913 Webster ]

She cried alway and shright. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Akin to Icel. skrīkja a shrieker, the shrike, and E. shriek; cf. AS. scrīc a thrush. See Shriek, v. i. ] (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of oscinine birds of the family Laniidae, having a strong hooked bill, toothed at the tip. Most shrikes are insectivorous, but the common European gray shrike (Lanius excubitor), the great northern shrike (Lanius borealis), and several others, kill mice, small birds, etc., and often impale them on thorns, and are, on that account called also butcher birds. See under Butcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The ant shrikes, or bush shrikes, are clamatorial birds of the family Formicaridae. The cuckoo shrikes of the East Indies and Australia are Oscines of the family Campephagidae. The drongo shrikes of the same regions belong to the related family Dicruridae. See Drongo. [ 1913 Webster ]

Crow shrike. See under Crow. --
Shrike thrush. (a) Any one of several species of Asiatic timaline birds of the genera Thamnocataphus, Gampsorhynchus, and allies. (b) Any one of several species of shrikelike Australian singing birds of the genus Colluricincla. --
Shrike tit. (a) Any one of several Australian birds of the genus Falcunculus, having a strong toothed bill and sharp claws. They creep over the bark of trees, like titmice, in search of insects. (b) Any one of several species of small Asiatic birds belonging to Allotrius, Pteruthius, Cutia, Leioptila, and allied genera, related to the true tits. Called also hill tit. --
Swallow shrike. See under Swallow. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Shriller superl. Shrillest. ] [ OE. shril, schril; akin to LG. schrell, G. schrill. See Shrill, v. i. ] Acute; sharp; piercing; having or emitting a sharp, piercing tone or sound; -- said of a sound, or of that which produces a sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hear the shrill whistle which doth order give
To sounds confused. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Let winds be shrill, let waves roll high. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A shrill sound. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Shrilled p. pr. & vb. n. Shrilling. ] [ OE. schrillen, akin to G. schrillen; cf. AS. scralletan to resound loudly, Icel. skrölta to jolt, Sw. skrälla to shrill, Norw. skryla, skr&unr_;la. Cf. Skirl. ] To utter an acute, piercing sound; to sound with a sharp, shrill tone; to become shrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Break we our pipes, that shrilledloud as lark. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

No sounds were heard but of the shrilling cock. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

His voice shrilled with passion. L. Wallace. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To utter or express in a shrill tone; to cause to make a shrill sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

How poor Andromache shrills her dolors forth. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a throat which produces a shrill note. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being shrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a shrill voice. “When shrill-tongued Fulvia scolds.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Somewhat shrill. [ Poetic ] Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

Some kept up a shrilly mellow sound. Keats. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a shrill manner; acutely; with a sharp sound or voice. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ Cf. AS. scrimman to dry up, wither, MHG. schrimpfen to shrink, G. schrumpfen, Dan. skrumpe, skrumpes, Da. & Sw. skrumpen shriveled. Cf. Scrimp, Shrink, Shrivel. ] To contract; to shrink. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. shrimp; -- probably so named from its shriveled appearance. See Shrimp, v. ] 1. (Zool.) (a) Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to Crangon and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are used as food. The larger kinds are called also prawns. See Illust. of Decapoda. (b) In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form. (c) In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some amphipods and even certain entomostracans; as, the fairy shrimp, and brine shrimp. See under Fairy, and Brine. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt. [ 1913 Webster ]

This weak and writhled shrimp. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Opossum shrimp. (Zool.) See under Opossum. --
Spector shrimp, or
Skeleton shrimp (Zool.), any slender amphipod crustacean of the genus Caprella and allied genera. See Illust. under Laemodopoda. --
Shrimp catcher (Zool.), the little tern (Sterna minuta). --
Shrimp net, a dredge net fixed upon a pole, or a sweep net dragged over the fishing ground. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who fishes for shrimps. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. schrin, AS. scrīn, from L. scrinium a case, chest, box. ] 1. A case, box, or receptacle, especially one in which are deposited sacred relics, as the bones of a saint. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any sacred place, as an altar, tromb, or the like. [ 1913 Webster ]

Too weak the sacred shrine guard. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A place or object hallowed from its history or associations; as, a shrine of art. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Short for
Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, a secret fraternal organization professedly originated by one Kalif Alu, a son-in-law of Mohammed, at Mecca, in the year of the Hegira 25 (about 646 a. d.) In the modern order, established in the United States in 1872, only Knights Templars or thirty-second degree Masons are eligible for admission, though the order itself is not Masonic. A member of the order is popularly called a Shriner, and the order itself is sometimes called the Shriners. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

v. t. To enshrine; to place reverently, as in a shrine. “Shrined in his sanctuary.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. See shrine{ 4 }. [ PJC ]

v. i. [ imp. Shrank r Shrunk pos>p. p. Shrunk or Shrunken but the latter is now seldom used except as a participial adjective; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrinking. ] [ OE. shrinken, schrinken, AS. scrincan; akin to OD. schrincken, and probably to Sw. skrynka a wrinkle, skrynkla to wrinkle, to rumple, and E. shrimp, n. & v., scrimp. CF. Shrimp. ] 1. To wrinkle, bend, or curl; to shrivel; hence, to contract into a less extent or compass; to gather together; to become compacted. [ 1913 Webster ]

And on a broken reed he still did stay
His feeble steps, which shrunk when hard thereon he lay. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes, will shrink or draw into less room. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Against this fire do I shrink up. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

And shrink like parchment in consuming fire. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

All the boards did shrink. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress. [ 1913 Webster ]

What happier natures shrink at with affright,
The hard inhabitant contends is right. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank from the task. Jowett (Thucyd.) [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it; to shudder; to quake. [ R. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To cause to contract or shrink; as, to shrink finnel by imersing it in boiling water. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To draw back; to withdraw. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

To shrink on (Mach.), to fix (one piece or part) firmly around (another) by natural contraction in cooling, as a tire on a wheel, or a hoop upon a cannon, which is made slightly smaller than the part it is to fit, and expanded by heat till it can be slipped into place. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act shrinking; shrinkage; contraction; also, recoil; withdrawal. [ 1913 Webster ]

Yet almost wish, with sudden shrink,
That I had less to praise. Leigh Hunt. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. [ Contraction of head-shrinker, a colloquial term for psychiatrist. ] a psychiatrist. [ Coll. ] [ PJC ]

n. 1. The act of shrinking; a contraction into less bulk or measurement. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The amount of such contraction; the bulk or dimension lost by shrinking, as of grain, castings, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Decrease in value; depreciation. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who shrinks; one who withdraws from danger. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. & n. from Shrink. [ 1913 Webster ]

Shrinking head (Founding), a body of molten metal connected with a mold for the purpose of supplying metal to compensate for the shrinkage of the casting; -- called also sinking head, and riser. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a shrinking manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

, n. same as shrink-wrap, n.. [ PJC ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. shrink-wrapped or shrink"wrapped p. pr. & vb. n. shrink"wrapping or shrink"-wrapping.] to wrap and seal (an object for sale) in a transparent sheet of plastic material that is shrunken to a tight-fitting wrapping by the application of heat. [PJC]

, n. a type of plastic film, usually transparent, that shrinks upon application of heat, and may be used to form a wrapping around objects that fits tightly and closely follows the contours of the wrapped object; -- also called shrink-pack, shrinkpack or shrink-wrapping. [ PJC ]

n. Shrievalty. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. Shrived r Shrove p. p. Shriven r Shrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriving. ] [ OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scrīvan to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skrīva to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskrīban to be troubled. Cf. Shrift, Shrovetide. ] 1. To hear or receive the confession of; to administer confession and absolution to; -- said of a priest as the agent. [ 1913 Webster ]

That they should shrive their parishioners. Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . .
Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Till my guilty soul be shriven. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively. [ 1913 Webster ]

Get you to the church and shrive yourself. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Shriveled r Shrivelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriveling or Shrivelling. ] [ 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. skrj&unr_;pr brittle, frail. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to shrivel or contract; to cause to shrink onto corruptions. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. of Shrive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who shrives; a confessor. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Shrift; confession. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The office or position of an undersheriff. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) A low shrub; a woody plant of low stature. [ 1913 Webster ]