n.
Pronunciation: ' flinch
Function: intransitive verb
Etymology: Middle French flenchir to bend, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle High German lenken to bend, Old High German hlanca flank ― more at LANK
Date: 1578
: to withdraw or shrink from or as if from pain : WINCE also : to tense the muscles involuntarily in anticipation of discomfort
synonyms see RECOIL
– flinch noun
– flinch · er noun