[f. FLINCH v.1 + -ER1.]
1. One who hangs back or gives way, esp. at a crisis or in time of danger, etc.; one who shrinks from (an undertaking, etc.).
1598. Florio, Taccognatore … a conycatcher, a micher, a flincher, a paltrer.
1609. Bp. W. Barlow, Answ. Nameless Cath., 272. This hee imputes to all the flinchers that forsooke him.
1664. H. More, Ep. 7 Churches, iv. (1669), 51. After that sharp Reprehension of Flinchers from the Faith, he returns to encourage and corroborate the Church in Smyrna.
1760. C. Johnston, Chrysal (1822), II. 223. I am no flincher. I never say aye when I mean no.
a. 1834. Lamb, Final Mem., ix. Wks. (1865), 295. In society, as in politics, he was no flincher.
transf. 1631. Mabbe, Celestina, XVIII. 180. Gold and Siluer will not tarry with mee; they are flinchers, they will not abide with mee.
2. One who passes the bottle; one who abstains from drinking.
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Jas. i. 27. He is estemed a Ioly ruffler, that geueth him selfe to excessyue ryot: and he is counted a flyncher that foloweth sobrietie.
a. 1668. Davenant, Siege, V. Dram. Wks. 1873, IV. 427.
| What! a flincher? | |
| Quaff it off, Mulciber, or I’ll force it down | |
| Your channel. |
a. 1748. C. Pitt, Ep. to Mr. Spence, 93.
| The sot, who drinks six bottles in a place, | |
| Swears at the flinchers who refuse their glass. |
1826. Disraeli, Viv. Grey, V. iv. A German student is no flincher at the bottle, although he generally drinks beer.
