Flinch (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flinched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flinching.] [Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F. fl'echir, fr. L. flectere to bend; but prob. influenced by E. blench. Cf. Flex.]

1.

To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain or danger; to fail in doing or perserving; to show signs of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one of the parties flinched from the combat.

A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining. Locke.

2. Croquet

To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

 

© Webster 1913.


Flinch, n.

The act of flinching.

 

© Webster 1913.

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