1540s, "a pinch, a nipping," from obsolete verb twinge "to pinch, tweak," from Old English twengan "to pinch," from Proto-Germanic *twangjan (cognates: Old Frisian thwinga, Old Norse tvinga, Danish tvinge, Dutch dwingen, Old High German thwingan, German zwingen "to compel, force"), from PIE *twengh- "to press in on" (see thong). Meaning "sharp, sudden minor pain" is recorded from c. 1600. Figurative sense (with reference to shame, remorse, etc.) is recorded from 1620s.
例文
1. For a moment,Arnold felt a twinge of sympathy for Mr Wilson.
ある瞬間、アーノルドはウィルソン氏に同情した。
2.He felt a twinge in his knee.
彼は膝に激痛を感じた。
3.I felt a twinge of envy for the people who lived there.
私はそこに住んでいる人に嫉妬したことがある。
4.The letter still gives him a twinge when thinks of it.
彼はその手紙を思い出すとピリピリする。
5.Has your action never given you a twinge of conscience?