shriveled
UK[ˈʃrɪvld]US[ˈʃrɪvld]
adj
having become smaller and wrinkled, especially due to loss of moisture or old age.
verb (past tense and past participle)
to become or cause to become smaller and wrinkled.
Etymology
the word 'shriveled' originates from the early 16th century verb 'shrivel', whose exact origins are somewhat obscure but are likely of scandinavian origin. it may be related to the swedish dialect word 'skryvla', meaning 'to wrinkle'. the core semantic concept has always been to contract and wrinkle, particularly from heat, cold, or dryness. the '-ed' suffix is the standard english past tense and participial ending, which when used adjectivally describes something that has undergone this process of shrinking and wrinkling. the word effectively captures the visual and textural transformation of organic matter like leaves, skin, or fruit as it loses vitality and moisture.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from a scandinavian root. it is not productively formed from separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the shriveled apple had been left in the sun for weeks.
her hands were shriveled from years of hard work and exposure.
the plant's leaves shriveled during the intense drought.