Flinch definition
To start or wince involuntarily, as from surprise or pain.
verb
An act or instance of starting, wincing, or recoiling.
noun
To wince, as from pain.
verb
To draw back, as from a blow, difficulty, etc.
verb
Flinch is defined as to make a quick motion of the body moving away out of surprise or fear.
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.
verb
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An act of flinching.
noun
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To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.
verb
Origin of flinch
- Obsolete French flenchir of Germanic origin
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- Compare Gothic (filhan), Icelandic fela (“to hide”)
From Wiktionary