FLINCH

flinch. Flinch, v.i. to shrink or draw back, to fail

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Flinch (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Flinched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Flinching.] [[Prob. fr. OE. flecchen to waver, give way, F. fléchir, fr. L. flectere to bend; but prob. influenced by E. blench. Cf. Flex.]] 1. 1. To withdraw from any suffering or undertaking, from pain or danger; to fail in doing or perserving; to show signs of yielding or of suffering; to shrink; to wince; as, one of the parties flinched from the combat.
A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining. Locke. 2. 2. (Croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.