Past tense of cringe; shrank back in fear or shame; felt embarrassed or uncomfortable.
From 'cringe,' derived from Old English 'cringan' meaning to yield or fall in battle. The meaning evolved from physical recoiling to the modern sense of emotional discomfort and embarrassment.
The word 'cringe' has undergone a remarkable cultural transformation—from a physical action to an emotional response to an internet slang judgment about bad behavior. Modern speakers might 'cringe' at outdated fashion without actually moving a muscle.
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