flinch
pronunciation
How to pronounce flinch in British English:
UK [flɪntʃ]
How to pronounce flinch in American English:
US [flɪntʃ]
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- Noun:
- a reflex response to sudden pain
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- Verb:
- draw back, as with fear or pain
Word Origin
- flinch
- flinch: see link
- flinch (v.)
- 1570s, apparently a nasalized form of obsolete Middle English flecche "to bend, flinch," which probably is from Old French flechir "to bend" (Modern French fléchir), also flechier "to bend, turn aside, flinch," which probably are from Frankish *hlankjan or some other Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *hlinc- (cognates: Middle High German linken, German lenken "to bend, turn, lead"), from PIE root *kleng- "to bend, turn" (see link (n.)). There were nasalized form of the word in Old French as well (flenchir "to bend; give ground, retreat"). Related: Flinched; flinching. As a noun, "the action of flinching," from 1817.
Example
- 1. East european officials flinch when her name is mentioned .
- 2. Investors shouldn 't flinch at the price tag .
- 3. The expression on his face made me flinch .
- 4. The flinch in your eyes calls your bluff .
- 5. But I still flinch when it comes to taking risks that might get me talked about among my friends .