cringe

views updated May 23 2018

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.

cringe

views updated Jun 27 2018

cringe. XIII ME. crenge, varying with crenche, corr. to OE. crinġan, crinċan fall in battle, Du. krengen heel over, and rel to ON. krangr weak, frail, kranga creep along, and MLG., Du., MHG. krenken weaken, injure, (M)LG., (M)HG. krank sick, ill, slight (see CRANK 1).