cringing Definition

cringe
verb, intr cringed, cringing

1. To cower away in fear.

Thesaurus: wince, quail, flinch, recoil, quiver, tremble, submit.
2. derog
To behave in a submissive, over-humble way.
Thesaurus: grovel, fawn, flatter, toady, bootlick.
3. loosely
To wince in embarrassment, etc.

noun

1. An act of cringing.

Derivative: cringer
noun

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon cringan to fall in battle.