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Wince vs Frown - What's the difference?

wince | frown |

In intransitive terms the difference between wince and frown

is that wince is to flinch as if in pain or distress while frown is to manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with disfavour or threateningly.

In transitive terms the difference between wince and frown

is that wince is to wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince while frown is to repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look.

wince

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A sudden movement or gesture of shrinking away.
  • A reel used in dyeing, steeping, or washing cloth; a winch. It is placed over the division wall between two wince pits so as to allow the cloth to descend into either compartment at will.

    • Verb

    (winc)
  • To flinch as if in pain or distress.
  • * (William Shakespeare)
    • I will not stir, nor wince , nor speak a word.
  • * , chapter=17
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=“Perhaps it is because I have been excommunicated. It's absurd, but I feel like the Jackdaw of Rheims.” ¶ She winced and bowed her head. Each time that he spoke flippantly of the Church he caused her pain.}}
  • * {{quote-book, year=1935, author=
    • , title=The Norwich Victims, chapter=7/2 citation , passage=The two Gordon setters came obediently to heel. Sir Oswald Feiling winced as he turned to go home. He had felt a warning twinge of lumbago.}}
  • To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
  • To kick or flounce when unsteady or impatient.

    • frown

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A facial expression in which the eyebrows are brought together, and the forehead is wrinkled, usually indicating displeasure, sadness or worry, or less often confusion or concentration.

    • Derived terms

    * permafrown

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To have a on one's face.
  • To manifest displeasure or disapprobation; to look with disfavour or threateningly.
    • Noisy gossip in the library is frowned upon.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The sky doth frown and lower upon our army.
  • To repress or repel by expressing displeasure or disapproval; to rebuke with a look.
    • Frown the impudent fellow into silence.

    Derived terms

    * frown at * frown on * frown upon