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wince

Verb
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

To make a slight involuntary movement because of pain or discomfort.

Detailed Definition
In poetry, this verb often suggests a quick physical or emotional flinch. Here it shows the speaker’s restraint: even though her heart is broken, she says she did not visibly recoil.
Example
Example in poetry:
“Broke, but I did not wince” uses wince for an involuntary recoil from pain or distress; “She did not wince when the cold rain struck” shows physical endurance; “At the cruel word, he winced inwardly” extends the verb to emotional hurt; “The surgeon’s needle made the child wince” gives its direct, literal meaning
Additional Notes
The verb "wince" in "Broke, but I did not wince;" is less everyday than the surrounding words and may need checking for its exact sense.; Found in the poem, Twice by Christina Rossetti
Also Known As
flinch recoil wince in pain shrink
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