v. To contract; to shrink.n. n. Any one of numerous species of macruran Crustacea belonging to Crangon and various allied genera, having a slender body and long legs. Many of them are used as food. The larger kinds are called also prawns. See Illust. of decapoda.n. In a more general sense, any species of the macruran tribe Caridea, or any species of the order Schizopoda, having a similar form.n. In a loose sense, any small crustacean, including some amphipods and even certain entomostracans. See under fairy, and brine.n. Figuratively, a little wrinkled man; a dwarf; -- in contempt.