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flinch

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Flinch is defined as to make a quick motion of the body moving away out of surprise or fear.

(verb)

When you fear a ball flying past your head and coming at you and you duck back a bit out of fear, this is an example of a time when you flinch.
When you shy away from participating in an activity because you are nervous, this is an example of a time when you flinch.

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See flinch in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

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

Origin: 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

See flinch in American Heritage Dictionary 4

intransitive verb flinched, flinch·ing, flinch·es

To start or wince involuntarily, as from surprise or pain.
To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.

noun

An act or instance of starting, wincing, or recoiling.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete French flenchir

Origin: , of Germanic origin

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Related Forms:

flinchˈer noun

flinchˈing·ly adverb

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