Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1900-2000
Origin: head-shrinker 'psychiatrist' (1900-2000)

shrink

2 noun
     
shrink2 [countable] informal
a psychoanalyst or psychiatrist -- used humorously
WORD FOCUS: doctor WORD FOCUS: doctor
similar words: physician especially AmE, GP British English, consultant, registrar
a doctor who does operations: surgeon
a doctor who treats mental illnesses: psychiatrist, psychotherapist, shrink informal
a doctor who treats people's teeth: dentist, orthodontist
a doctor who treats animals: vet, veterinarian especially AmE
someone who is training to be a doctor: medical student, intern American English
the place where you go to see your doctor: surgery British English, office American English

➔ See also doctor
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.

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