cringe

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cringe / krinj/ • v. (cring·ing) [intr.] bend one's head and body in fear or in a servile manner. ∎  experience an inward shiver of embarrassment or disgust: I cringed at the fellow's stupidity.• n. an act of cringing in fear. ∎  a feeling of embarrassment or disgust.DERIVATIVES: cring·er n.

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