A posture or gesture of shrinking or recoiling.

“He glanced with a cringe at the mess on his desk.”

A servile obeisance.

A crick.

To shrink, cower, tense or recoil, as in fear, disgust or embarrassment.

“He cringed as the bird collided with the window.”

To bow or crouch in servility.

To contract; to draw together; to cause to shrink or wrinkle; to distort.