shrivel
/ˈʃrɪvəl/
verb
Origin
Old Norse
skrifa — to scratch, cut, or draw
Overview
Meaning Now
- To wrinkle or contract, especially due to loss of moisture.
- To wither or become helpless and ineffective.
Language path
Old Norse → Middle English → English
Earliest form
shryvel
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The verb entered English during a period of significant Scandinavian influence. While 'skrifa' originally meant 'to write' (related to the act of scratching runes), the development of 'shrivel' suggests a sense of surface degradation, mirroring the way dry skin or parched leaves look as if they have been scratched or scored.
Evolution
- Old Norse
skrifa
“to cut, scratch, or write”
Potential source involving the sense of skin 'scratched' or 'cracked'.
- Middle English
shryvel
“to shrink or wrinkle”
First recorded occurrences in late 14th century.
- Modern English
shrivel
“to contract and wrinkle”
Connections
Word parts
shrivel
root
to wrinkle
Related across languages
Old Swedish
skrifva
to scrape
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.