v.
Pronunciation: ' krinj
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form: cringed ; cring · ing
Etymology: Middle English crengen; akin to Old English cringan to yield, Middle High German krank weak
Date: 13th century
1 : to draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain)
2 : to shrink in fear or servility
3 : to behave in an excessively humble or servile way
4 : to recoil in distaste <Americans cringed ⋯ at the use of a term now regarded as a slur ― William Safire>
synonyms see FAWN
– cring · er noun