Flinch , n. The act of
flinching.
Flinch (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flinched (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Flinching.]
[Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to
waver, give way, F. fléchir, 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.
Hear it pronounced