flinched Definition

flench
flense
flinch
verb flenched, flenching, flensed, flensing, flinched, flinching

1. To cut the blubber from (a whale, seal, etc) and slice it up.
2. To flay or skin (a seal, etc).

Etymology: 19c: from Danish flense.

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flinch¹
verb

intr
flinched, flinching
1. To start or jump in pain, fright, surprise, etc.

Thesaurus: shrink, cringe, withdraw, cower, recoil, duck, start, blanch, wince, shudder.

Derivative: flincher
noun

Derivative: flinchingly
adverb

Etymology: 16c: probably connected with French flechir to bend.

Phrasal Verb: flinch from something

To shrink back from or avoid something difficult such as a task, duty, etc.