Cryptic crossword clue
Shrank back as gale enveloped church 6

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word WINCED

I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
W
I
N
C
E
D

Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "Shrank back" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case shrank back = winced.
The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.
This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.

What does WINCED mean?

WINCED verb
  1. To flinch as if in pain or distress.
  2. To wash (cloth), dip it in dye, etc., with the use of a wince.
  3. To kick or flounce when unsteady or impatient.

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