blench

blench¹ Definition

blench (blenc̸h)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to make or become pale; whiten; bleach

Etymology: var. of blanch

blench² Definition

blench (blenc̸h)

intransitive verb

to shrink back, as in fear; flinch; quail

Etymology: ME blenchen, move suddenly, avoid < OE blencan, to deceive, akin to Ger blinken; ult. < IE base of blank

blench Synonyms

flinch, quail, shrink back; see wince.

blench Usage Examples

Preposition: at

idea: And yet even this New York girl blenches at the idea of approaching total strangers in the streets with a poem.

Modifying Another Word

never: She was a brave witch; she never blenched at the stake, which was proof enough of her compact with the Devil.
n't: Only the National Secular Society does n't blench; other rights groups have been muted.

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