cringe

2 entries found for cringe.
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cringe[1,intransitive verb] cringe[2,noun]

Main Entry: ¹cringe
Pronunciation: 'krinj
Function: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s): cringed; cring·ing
Etymology: Middle English crengen; akin to Old English cringan to yield, Middle High German krank weak
1 : to draw in or contract one's muscles involuntarily (as from cold or pain)
2 : to shrink in fear or servility
3 : to behave in an excessively humble or servile way
4 : to recoil in distaste <Americans cringed...at the use of a term now regarded as a slur -- William Safire>
synonym see FAWN
- cring·er noun