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wince1 definition

wince (wins)

intransitive verb winced, wincing winc′·ing

to shrink or draw back slightly, usually with a grimace, as in pain, embarrassment, alarm, etc.

Etymology: ME wynsen < Anglo-Fr var. of OFr guenchir < Frank *wenkjan, akin to OHG wankon, to totter, turn: for IE base see winch

noun

the act or an instance of wincing

Related Forms:

wince2 definition

wince (wins)

noun

a roller used between dyeing vats to facilitate the transfer of pieces of cloth

Etymology: var. of winch

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

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