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cringing

   Also found in: Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.03 sec.
cringe  (krnj)
intr.v. cringed, cring·ing, cring·es
1. To shrink back, as in fear; cower.
2. To behave in a servile way; fawn.
n.
An act or instance of cringing.
[Middle English crengen, to bend haughtily, probably ultimately from Old English cringan, to give way.]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Adj.1.cringing - totally submissive
groveling, grovelling, wormlike, wormy
submissive - inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination; "submissive servants"; "a submissive reply"; "replacing troublemakers with more submissive people"


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
He was equable and not cringing with his superiors, was free and ingratiating in his behavior with his equals, and was contemptuously indulgent with his inferiors.
Anna Karenina by Tolstoy, Leo View in context
The wild-dog was what he was, a wild-dog, cringing and sneaking, his ears for ever down, his tail for ever between his legs, for ever apprehending fresh misfortune and ill-treatment to fall on him, for ever fearing and resentful, fending off threatened hurt with lips curling malignantly from his puppy fangs, cringing under a blow, squalling his fear and his pain, and ready always for a treacherous slash if luck and safety favoured.
Jerry of the Islands by London, Jack View in context
Last evening there was handed in a note of the usual whining, cringing tone.
Beyond the City by Doyle, Sir Arthur Conan View in context
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