Entry 3 senses · 3 variants Webster, 1913

Cringe

/(krĭnj)/ · IPA /kɹɪnd͡ʒ/

01 v. t. To draw one's self together as in fear or servility; to bend or crouch with base humility; to wince; hence, to make court in a degrading ma…

imp. & p. p. Cringed; p. pr. & vb. n. Cringing

1.
To draw one's self together as in fear or servility; to bend or crouch with base humility; to wince; hence, to make court in a degrading manner; to fawn.
“When they were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions.” — Bunyan.

“Sly hypocrite, . . . who more than thou Once fawned and cringed, and servilely adored Heaven's awful monarch?” — Milton.

“Flatterers . . . are always bowing and cringing.” — Arbuthnot.

02 v. t. To contract; to draw together; to cause to shrink or wrinkle; to distort.

1.
To contract; to draw together; to cause to shrink or wrinkle; to distort.[Obs.]
“Till like a boy you see him cringe his face, And whine aloud for mercy.” — Shak.

03 n. Servile civility; fawning; a shrinking or bowing, as in fear or servility.

1.
Servile civility; fawning; a shrinking or bowing, as in fear or servility.