wince

Meaning

Noun

1. A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
2. A reel used in dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to descend into either compartment at will.

Verb

1. To flinch as if in pain or distress.
2. To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
3. To kick or flounce when unsteady or impatient.

Synonyms

flinch

recoil

quiver

shrink

start

cringe

shiver

give a start

quail

waver

startle

shudder

twitch

funk

grimace

tremble

cower

squinch

jerk

jump

falter

blink the eye

blink

boggle

disconcerted

flutter

hesitate

quivering

stir

succumbing to

thrill

make a wry face

tremor

vibration

shrink back

being frightened

balk

Pronounced as (IPA)

/wɪns/

Etymology

From Middle English wyncen, from Anglo-Norman winchir (compare Old French guenchir), from Frankish *wankjan. See also German winken.