Definition of the word blench

The word "blench" has its roots in Old English and Old Norse. In Old English, the word "blencan" or "blencian" meant "to shrink away" or "to recoil", often used to describe someone who was afraid or disgusted. This sense of revulsion is still present in the modern English usage of the word, which means "to shrink back or away in disgust or shock". In Old Norse, the word "hleyna" or "hlynja" also had a similar meaning, suggesting a withdrawal or recoiling due to fear, shame, or disgust. It's believed that the Old English and Old Norse words share a common root, likely connected to the Proto-Germanic word "*hliniz", which expressed the idea of shrinking or drawing back. Over time, the word "blench" has evolved to encompass a range of emotional responses, from mild unease to outright horror, often accompanied by a desire to withdraw or escape from the source of the unpleasantness.