Definition of "flinch"

flinch¹

/flɪnt͡ʃ/

noun
plural flinches
1. A reflexive jerking away.
2. (croquet) The slipping of the foot from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.
verb
third-person singular simple present flinches, present participle flinching, simple past and past participle flinched
1. (intransitive) To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus; to cringe.
  Quotations
  A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.
  1693, [John Locke], “(please specify the section number)”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […]
2. To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty
3. (croquet) To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

/flɪnt͡ʃ/

verb
third-person singular simple present flinches, present participle flinching, simple past and past participle flinched
1. Alternative form of flense