Associations to the word «Flinch»

Wiktionary

FLINCH, noun. A reflexive jerking away.
FLINCH, verb. To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus.
FLINCH, verb. To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
FLINCH, verb. To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

Dictionary definition

FLINCH, noun. A reflex response to sudden pain.
FLINCH, verb. Draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf".

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats