flinch
1[ flinch ]
/ flɪntʃ /
verb (used without object)
to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.
to shrink under pain; wince.
Croquet. to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.
verb (used with object)
to draw back or withdraw from.
noun
an act of flinching.
Nearby words
flightworthy, flighty, flim, flimflam, flimsy, flinch, flinders, flinders bar, flinders grass, flinders island, flinders range
Origin of flinch
1First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps nasalized variant of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position
Related forms
flinch·er, nounflinch·ing·ly, adverbDefinition for flinch (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for flinch
British Dictionary definitions for flinch (1 of 2)
flinch
1/ (flɪntʃ) /
verb (intr)
to draw back suddenly, as from pain, shock, etc; wincehe flinched as the cold water struck him
(often foll by from) to avoid contact (with); shy awayhe never flinched from his duty
noun
the act or an instance of drawing back
a card game in which players build sequences
Derived Forms
flincher, nounflinchingly, adverbWord Origin for flinch
C16: from Old French flenchir; related to Middle High German lenken to bend, direct
British Dictionary definitions for flinch (2 of 2)
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