Cringe v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cringed p. pr. & vb. n. Cringing.] 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.
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.
Sly hypocrite, . . . who more than thou
Once fawned and cringed, and servilely adored
Heaven's awful monarch? --Milton.
Flatterers . . . are always bowing and cringing. --Arbuthnot.