Wrinkled and shrunken, usually from drying out or being old.
From Middle English 'shrivel' possibly from Old Norse 'skreppa' meaning 'to shrink,' or from Dutch. The word appeared in English around 1600 and described how things dry out and lose volume, with wrinkles appearing as they shrink.
When fruits shriveled in ancient times, humans realized they were more concentrated in sugar and flavor—raisins, dates, and prunes are intentionally shriveled foods that humans have been making for thousands of years, turning a flaw into a feature.
Shriveled and related aging imagery are gendered; women's physical aging is described with disgust (shriveled, withered, dried up) while men age with dignity (distinguished, seasoned, wise). This language pathologizes female aging.
Describe aging changes objectively or neutrally: 'diminished', 'contracted', 'reduced'. When describing people, avoid appearance-based language; describe function or attribute.
["contracted","diminished","reduced","withered (objectively)"]
Women who reclaim language around aging—describing themselves as experienced, powerful, evolved—counter centuries of disgust-based gendering. Use neutral or empowering language regardless of gender.
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