flinch

Etymology

Compare Gothic 𐍆𐌹𐌻𐌷𐌰𐌽 (filhan), Icelandic fela (“to hide”)^[1]

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪntʃ

Noun

flinch (plural flinches)

1. A reflexive jerking away.

   My eye doctor hates the flinch I have every time he tries to get near my eyes.

Verb

flinch (third-person singular simple present flinches, present participle flinching, simple past and past participle flinched)

1. To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe.
   • John Locke

     A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.

2. To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
3. (games) (of the croquet game) To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

References