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wince

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wince

Main Entry:: wince
Pronunciation:: \ˈwin(t)s\
Function:: intransitive verb
Inflected Form(s):: winced; winc·ing
Etymology:: Middle English wynsen to kick out, start, from Anglo-French *wincer, *guincer to shift direction, dodge, by-form of guenchir, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wenken, wankōn to totter — more at wench
Date:: circa 1748

: to shrink back involuntarily (as from pain) : flinch

synonyms see recoil

— wince noun

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