cringing

2 definitions found

cringing - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Cringe \Cringe\ (kr[i^]nj), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cringed
     (kr[i^]njd); p. pr. & vb. n. Cringing.] [As. crincgan,
     cringan, crincan, to jield, fall; akin to E. crank.]
     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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Sly hypocrite, . . . who more than thou
           Once fawned and cringed, and servilely adored
           Heaven's awful monarch?                  --Milton.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           Flatterers . . . are always bowing and cringing.
                                                    --Arbuthnot.
     [1913 Webster]

cringing - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  cringing
      adj 1: totally submissive [syn: cringing, groveling,
             grovelling, wormlike, wormy]