~ 1
■ verb
1》 make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.
2》 ( ~ from ) avoid through fear or anxiety.
■ noun an act of ~ing.
Derivatives
~er noun
~ing adjective
~ingly adverb
Origin
C16 (in the sense 'slink or sneak off'): from OFr. flenchir 'turn aside', of W. Gmc origin.
————————
~ 2 [ flɪn(t)ʃ ]
■ verb variant spelling of flense .