flinch

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: wincesquinchfunkcringeshrinkrecoilquail

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a reflex response to sudden painSynonyms: wince

Verb (1)

  1. draw back, as with fear or pain“she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf”Synonyms: squinchfunkcringeshrinkwincerecoilquail
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Flinch \Flinch\, n. The act of flinching. [1913 Webster]
Flinch \Flinch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flinched; p. pr. & vb. n. Flinching.] [Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F. fl['e]chir, fr. L. flectere to bend; but prob. influenced by E. blench. Cf. Flex.]

1.To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain or danger; to fail in doing or perserving; to show signs of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one of the parties flinched from the combat. [1913 Webster]

A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.— Locke.[1913 Webster]

2.(Croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet. [1913 Webster]

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