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flinching - 4 dictionary results

flinch

1  [flinch]
Use flinching in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to draw back or shrink, as from what is dangerous, difficult, or unpleasant.
2. to shrink under pain; wince.
3. Croquet. to let the foot slip from the ball in the act of croqueting.
–verb (used with object)
4. to draw back or withdraw from.
–noun
5. an act of flinching.
Origin:
1555–65; perh. nasalized var. of dial. flitch to flit, shift one's position

Related forms:
flincher, noun
flinch⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. recoil, withdraw, blench.

flinch

2  [flinch]
–verb (used with object)
flense.

flense

  [flens]
–verb (used with object), flensed, flens⋅ing.
1. to strip the blubber or the skin from (a whale, seal, etc.).
2. to strip off (blubber or skin).
Also, flench [flench] , flinch.

Origin:
1805–15; < Dan flense or D flensen

Related forms:
flenser, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To flinching
flinch   (flĭnch)   
intr.v.   flinched, flinch·ing, flinch·es
  1. To start or wince involuntarily, as from surprise or pain.
  2. To recoil, as from something unpleasant or difficult; shrink.
n.  An act or instance of starting, wincing, or recoiling.

[Obsolete French flenchir, of Germanic origin.]
flinch'er n., flinch'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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