I. ˈkrinj verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English crengen, causative from the root of Old English cringan to fall, yield; akin to Middle High German krinc ring, circle, Old Norse kringr circle, Old English cradol cradle — more at cradle
intransitive verb
1. : to draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily : shrink , huddle , crouch
we cringe under the blasting wind — C.S.Houston
2. : to shrink in fear or servility : bend or crouch with base humility
3. : to make court in a degrading or servile manner : to approach with fawning and self-abasement
transitive verb
1. obsolete : to draw in or together : cause to shrink or wrinkle : contract , contort
2. archaic : to meet, greet, or escort with cringes
hence, and bow and cringe him here — Lord Byron
II. noun
( -s )
1. : excessive deference : servility , fawning
the provincial tends to suffer a cultural cringe toward urban centers
2. : a cringing act ; specifically : an excessive or servile bow
performing cringes and congees like a court chamberlain — W.M.Thackeray