flinch

== English == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /flɪnt͡ʃ/ Rhymes: -ɪntʃ === Etymology 1 === From Middle French flenchir (“to bend”), of Germanic origin. Compare Middle High German lenken (“to bend”). Attested in English since the 16th century. ==== Noun ==== flinch (plural flinches) A reflexive jerking away. (croquet) The slipping of the foot from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet. ===== Translations ===== ===== See also ===== (reflexive jerking away): cringe ==== Verb ==== flinch (third-person singular simple present flinches, present participle flinching, simple past and past participle flinched) (intransitive) To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe; to blench. Synonyms: cower, recoil To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty (croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet. ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ==== References ==== “flinch”, in Collins English Dictionary. “flinch”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. === Etymology 2 === ==== Verb ==== flinch (third-person singular simple present flinches, present participle flinching, simple past and past participle flinched) Alternative form of flense. ==== References ==== “flinch”, in Collins English Dictionary.