wince Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the facial expression of sudden pain
  2. noun a reflex response to sudden pain
    flinch.
  3. verb draw back, as with fear or pain
    squinch; flinch; recoil; quail; cringe; shrink; funk.
    • she flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf
  4. verb make a face indicating disgust or dislike
    • She winced when she heard his pompous speech

WordNet

Wince intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. wincen, winchen, OF. quencir, guenchir, guenchier, giencier, guinchier, and (assumed) winchier, winchir, to give way, to turn aside, fr. OHG. wankjan, wenken, to give way, to waver, fr. winchan to turn aside, to nod, akin to E. wink. See Wink.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Winced ; present participle & verbal noun Wincing
Definitions
  1. To shrink, as from a blow, or from pain; to flinch; to start back.
    I will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word. Shak.
  2. To kick or flounce when unsteady, or impatient at a rider; as, a horse winces.
Wince noun
Definitions
  1. The act of one who winces.
Wince noun
Etymology
See Winch.
Definitions
  1. (Dyeing & Calico Printing) 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.

Webster 1913