Flinching

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Flinch \Flinch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Flinched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Flinching}.] [Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F.
     fl['e]chir, 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.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be
              accustomed to bear very rough usage without
              flinching or complaining.             --Locke.
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     2. (Croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when
        attempting to give a tight croquet.
        [1913 Webster]