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Webster 1913 Edition


Shrinkage

Shrink′age

,
Noun.
1.
The act of shrinking; a contraction into less bulk or measurement.
2.
The amount of such contraction; the bulk or dimension lost by shrinking, as of grain, castings, etc.
3.
Decrease in value; depreciation.
[Colloq.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Shrinkage

SHRINK'AGE

,
Noun.
A shrinking or contraction into a less compass. Make an allowance for the shrinkage of grain in drying.

Definition 2024


shrinkage

shrinkage

English

Noun

shrinkage (countable and uncountable, plural shrinkages)

  1. The act of shrinking, or the proportion by which something shrinks.
  2. The loss of merchandise through theft, spoilage, and obsolescence.
  3. (slang) The reduction in size of the male genitalia when cold, such as from immersion in cold water.
    • 1994 Peter Mehlman & Carol Leifer, "The Hamptons," Seinfeld, Season 5, Episode 20 (aired May 12, 1994), Spoken by Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry Seinfeld)
      Do women know about shrinkage?
    • 2006 Steve Gerali, Teenage Guys: Exploring Issues Adolescent Guys Face and Strategies to Help Them, Zondervan, p63
      This is why guys experience "shrinkage" after they've been swimming.
    • 2008 Anthony William Brownless, Billy's Book for Blokes, Allen & Unwin
      That'll get their blood flowing. ... getting the blood flowing coz just the mere thought of jumping into that icy water was starting to get the shrinkage going.
    • 2010 Fran Capo, Art Zuckerman & Susan Zuckerman, "Polar Bear Clubs," It Happened in New York City: Remarkable Events That Shaped History, Globe Pequot, p51
      And of course, one of the most important questions of all, especially among male plungers, is, "What about shrinkage?!"

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