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- Encogía - meaning & definition
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Translate Files Encogía (en. Shrank)
/enkoˈxi.a/
Meaning & Definition
EnglishSpanish
verb
To decrease in size or volume.
The sweater shrank when washed with hot water.
El suéter se encogía al lavarlo con agua caliente.
To feel fear or apprehension that causes a reduction in posture or physical state.
She shrank in fear when she heard the thunder.
Ella se encogía de miedo cuando escuchaba los truenos.
To physically withdraw or contract due to cold or surprise.
Upon feeling the cold, he shrank and put his hands in his pockets.
Al sentir el frío, él se encogía y metía las manos en los bolsillos.
Etymology
It derives from the verb 'encoger', which comes from the Latin 'incoagere', meaning 'to bring together, to tighten'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
To shrug one's shoulders
To express indifference or lack of knowledge about a matter.
Encogerse de hombros
To shrink in fear
To withdraw or show considerable fear.
Encogerse de miedo
One should not shrink back
One should not be afraid or appear weak in a situation.
No hay que encogerse
Related Words
to shrink
To make something or someone decrease in size.
encoger
to reduce
To make something smaller in size or quantity.
reducirse
to contract
To tighten something or make it smaller.
contraer
Slang Meanings
To feel uncomfortable or limited in a situation.
When the conversation turned serious, I shrank into the sofa.
Cuando la conversación se tornó seria, me encogía en el sofá.
To do something in secret or without others noticing.
I shrank the truth to avoid hurting him.
Encogí la verdad para no lastimarlo.