1.
[syn: clenched, clinched]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Clinch \Clinch\ (kl[i^]nch; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
Clinched; p. pr. & vb. n. Clinching.] [OE. clenchen,
prop. causative of clink to cause to clink, to strike; cf. D.
klinken to tinkle, rivet. See Clink.]
1. To hold firmly; to hold fast by grasping or embracing
tightly. "Clinch the pointed spear." --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
2. To set closely together; to close tightly; as, to clinch
the teeth or the first. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]
3. To bend or turn over the point of (something that has been
driven through an object), so that it will hold fast; as,
to clinch a nail.
[1913 Webster]
4. To make conclusive; to confirm; to establish; as, to
clinch an argument. --South.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
clinched
adj 1: closed or squeezed together tightly; "a clenched fist";
"his clenched (or clinched) teeth" [syn: clenched,
clinched]