wince

Meanings

Plural: winces

Noun

the facial expression of sudden pain
a reflex response to sudden pain
A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
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

draw back, as with fear or pain
make a face indicating disgust or dislike
- "She winced when she heard his pompous speech"
To flinch as if in pain or distress.
To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
To kick or flounce when unsteady or impatient.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English wyncen, from Anglo-Norman winchir (compare Old French guenchir), from Frankish *wankjan, related to *winkijan (“to flex, bend”). See also German winken.

Synonyms

cringe, flinch, funk, quail, recoil, shrink, squinch

Scrabble Score: 10

wince is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
wince is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
wince is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 12

wince is a valid Words With Friends word