---
title: flinch — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «flinch» in the school dictionary: To flinch is to make a small, quick movement backwards or away because of pain, fear or surprise. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# flinch

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** flinch, She, nurse, He, ball, dog · **What happens:** be, not flinch, mean, face, avoid, flinch · **To what, where:** it, injection, her, bully, little flinch, bruise · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«flinch» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [flinch in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/flinch.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To flinch is to make a small, quick movement backwards or away because of pain, fear or surprise.

<!-- fold The tree, 18 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:m1:1
# text = To flinch is to make a small, quick movement backwards or away because of pain, fear or surprise.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	flinch	flinch	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
7	small	small	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	7	punct	_	_
9	quick	quick	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	10	amod	_	_
10	movement	movement	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	_
11	backwards	backwards	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
12	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	13	cc	_	_
13	away	away	ADV	RB	_	11	conj	_	_
14	because	because	ADP	IN	ExtPos=ADP	16	case	_	_
15	of	of	ADP	IN	_	14	fixed	_	_
16	pain	pain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	18	punct	_	_
18	fear	fear	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
19	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
20	surprise	surprise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | present | flinch |  |  |  |  | because pain and fear or surprise; backwards, make *property* | tree rules |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Not to flinch from something means to face it bravely without avoiding it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:m2:1
# text = Not to flinch from something means to face it bravely without avoiding it.
1	Not	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
2	to	to	PART	TO	_	3	mark	_	_
3	flinch	flinch	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	csubj	_	_
4	from	from	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	3	obl	_	_
6	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	face	face	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	_
10	bravely	bravely	ADV	RB	_	8	advmod	_	_
11	without	without	SCONJ	IN	_	12	mark	_	_
12	avoiding	avoid	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	8	advcl	_	_
13	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	12	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **flinch** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  | from something | vn flinch-40.5 «NP V PP.stimulus»: agent=Experiencer from something=Stimulus |
| 2 | **mean** | present |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **face** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | it |  |  |  | bravely *property* | vn fill-9.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme it=Destination |
| 4 | **avoid** | gerund |  | it |  |  |  |  | vn avoid-52 «NP V NP.location»: agent=Agent it=Location |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She flinched when the nurse gave her the injection.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x1:1
# text = She flinched when the nurse gave her the injection.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	flinched	flinch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	6	advmod	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	nurse	nurse	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
7	her	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	6	iobj	_	_
8	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	injection	injection	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **flinch** | past | She |  |  |  |  |  | vn flinch-40.5 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **give** | past | the nurse | the injection | her *= she* |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP-Dative NP»: agent=Agent she=Recipient injection=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He didn't flinch when the ball flew at him.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x2:1
# text = He didn't flinch when the ball flew at him.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	nsubj	_	_
2	did	do	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
3	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	flinch	flinch	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	8	mark	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	ball	ball	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	nsubj	_	_
8	flew	fly	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	advcl	_	_
9	at	at	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **flinch** | past · do-support | He |  |  |  |  |  | vn flinch-40.5 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **fly** | past | the ball |  |  |  |  | at him *= he* | vn spatial\_configuration-47.6-1 «NP V PP.location»: agent=Theme at he=Location |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The dog flinched at the sound of fireworks.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x3:1
# text = The dog flinched at the sound of fireworks.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	dog	dog	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	flinched	flinch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	at	at	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	sound	sound	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obl	_	_
7	of	of	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
8	fireworks	firework	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **flinch** | past | the dog |  |  |  |  | at the sound of fireworks | vn flinch-40.5 «NP V PP.stimulus»: agent=Experiencer at sound=Stimulus |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She faced the bully without flinching.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x4:1
# text = She faced the bully without flinching.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	faced	face	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	bully	bully	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	without	without	SCONJ	IN	_	6	mark	_	_
6	flinching	flinch	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	2	advcl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **face** | past | She | the bully |  |  |  |  | vn fill-9.8-1 «NP V NP.destination»: agent=Agent bully=Destination |
| 2 | **flinch** | gerund | She *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | vn flinch-40.5 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He gave a little flinch when I touched the bruise.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x5:1
# text = He gave a little flinch when I touched the bruise.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	little	little	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	flinch	flinch	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	when	when	ADV	WRB	PronType=Int	8	advmod	_	_
7	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	touched	touch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	2	advcl	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	bruise	bruise	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | He | a little flinch |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent flinch=Theme |
| 2 | **touch** | past | I | the bruise |  |  |  |  | vn contiguous\_location-47.8-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Theme bruise=Co-Theme |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The firefighter never flinched from danger.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x6:1
# text = The firefighter never flinched from danger.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	firefighter	firefighter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	4	advmod	_	_
4	flinched	flinch	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	from	from	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	danger	danger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **flinch** | participle · passive |  | the firefighter |  | danger |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The ogre thought to terrify his foe, but Watanabe never flinched.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:flinch:x7:1
# text = The ogre thought to terrify his foe, but Watanabe never flinched.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	ogre	ogre	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	thought	think	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	to	to	PART	TO	_	5	mark	_	_
5	terrify	terrify	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	3	xcomp	_	_
6	his	his	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	7	nmod:poss	_	_
7	foe	foe	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	12	punct	_	_
9	but	but	CCONJ	CC	_	12	cc	_	_
10	Watanabe	Watanabe	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	12	nsubj	_	_
11	never	never	ADV	RB	PronType=Neg	12	advmod	_	_
12	flinched	flinch	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **think** *speech: other* | past | the ogre |  |  |  |  |  | vn consider-29.9-2 «NP V how S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Theme |
| 2 | **terrify** | to-infinitive | the ogre *not said here* | ogre's foe |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Stimulus foe=Experiencer |
| 3 | **not** **flinch** | past | Watanabe |  |  |  |  |  | vn flinch-40.5 «NP V»: agent=Experiencer |

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**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

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