flinch Hear it!

flinch definition

flinch (flinc̸h)

intransitive verb

  1. to draw back, as from a blow, difficulty, etc.
  2. to wince, as from pain

Etymology: earlier also flench < OFr flenchir, to bend aside < Frank *hlankjan, akin to Ger lenken, OE hlencan, to twist, bend: see lank

noun

an act of flinching

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.