clinch

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: clenchclamphugsqueeze

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

  1. (boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily
  2. a small slip noose made with seizingSynonyms: clench
  3. the flattened part of a nail or bolt or rivet
  4. a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly togetherSynonyms: clamp
  5. a tight or amorous embrace“come here and give me a big hug”Synonyms: hugsqueeze

Verb (6)

  1. secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts“The girder was clinched into the wall”
  2. hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches
  3. hold in a tight grasp“clench a steering wheel”Synonyms: clench
  4. embrace amorously
  5. flatten the ends (of nails and rivets)“the nails were clinched”
  6. settle conclusively“clinch a deal”
Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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]

Clinch \Clinch\, v. i. To hold fast; to grasp something firmly; to seize or grasp one another. [1913 Webster]
Clinch \Clinch\ (kl[i^]nch), n.

1.The act or process of holding fast; that which serves to hold fast; a grip; a grasp; a clamp; a holdfast; as, to get a good clinch of an antagonist, or of a weapon; to secure anything by a clinch. [1913 Webster]

2.A pun. --Pope. [1913 Webster]

3.(Naut.) A hitch or bend by which a rope is made fast to the ring of an anchor, or the breeching of a ship's gun to the ringbolts. [1913 Webster]

Advertisement