Wince

Pronunciation

• IPA: /wɪns/
• Rhymes: -ɪns

Full definition of wince

Noun

1. A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
2. 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.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To flinch as if in pain or distress.
• William ShakespeareI will not stir, nor wince, nor speak a word.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 17, “Perhaps it is because I have been excommunicated. It's absurd, but I feel like the Jackdaw of Rheims.” ¶ She winced and bowed her head. Each time that he spoke flippantly of the Church he caused her pain.
• 1935, w, The Norwich Victims Chapter 7/2, The two Gordon setters came obediently to heel. Sir Oswald Feiling winced as he turned to go home. He had felt a warning twinge of lumbago.
2. (transitive) To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
3. To kick or flounce when unsteady or impatient.
   A horse winces.