I. ˈtwinj verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English twengen, from Old English twengan; probably akin to Old High German dwengen to compel, apply force to, dwingan to oppress, overcome, compel — more at thong
transitive verb
1. dialect : pluck , tweak , twitch
2. : to cause (one) a sharp or smarting pain : prick
intransitive verb
: to feel a sudden sharp local pain : suffer a stabbing or smarting sensation
II. noun
( -s )
1. obsolete : tweak , twitch
2.
a. : a sudden sharp stab of pain
would have shrugged off twinges and creakings like mine as something quite to be expected in their early fifties — Edith M. Stern
b. : a moral or emotional pang : pricking
a twinge of fear
a twinge of conscience
a twinge of envy
Synonyms: see pain