blench

¹

[ blench ]

verb (used without object)

1. to shrink; flinch; quail:

   an unsteady eye that blenched under another's gaze.

blench

²

[ blench ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to make or become pale or white; blanch.

blench

¹

/ blɛntʃ /

verb

1. intr to shy away, as in fear; quail

blench

²

/ blɛntʃ /

verb

1. to make or become pale or white

Other Words From

• blencher noun
• blenching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of blench¹

before 1000; Middle English blenchen, Old English blencan; cognate with Old Norse blekkja, Middle High German blenken

Origin of blench²

First recorded in 1805–15; variant of blanch ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of blench¹

Old English blencan to deceive

Origin of blench²

C19: variant of blanch

Example Sentences

Beyond lay the bay, flashing brightly in the sunlight; but her strong eyes did not blench as she gazed.

From Project Gutenberg

Now it is the turn of his judges to blench, for his persecutors to tremble.

From Project Gutenberg

His discipline was of the sternest, his censure a thing to make the boldest officer blench.

From Project Gutenberg

While uttering these words, the sachem fixed a searching glance on the hunter, but the latter did not blench.

From Project Gutenberg

He saw her blench; saw fear stare from those dark eyes that could be so very bold.

From Project Gutenberg