flinch

Meanings

Noun

• A reflexive jerking away.
• The slipping of the foot from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

Verb

• To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe.
• To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
• To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
• Alternative of flense

Origin

• From Middle French flenchir, of Germanic origin. Compare Middle High German lenken. Attested in English since the 16th century.