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