CLINCH

clinch

(noun) (boxing) the act of one boxer holding onto the other to avoid being hit and to rest momentarily

hug, clinch, squeeze

(noun) a tight or amorous embrace; “come here and give me a big hug”

clamp, clinch

(noun) a device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together

clinch

(noun) the flattened part of a nail or bolt or rivet

clinch, clench

(noun) a small slip noose made with seizing

clinch

(verb) settle conclusively; “clinch a deal”

clinch

(verb) flatten the ends (of nails and rivets); “the nails were clinched”

clinch

(verb) secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts; “The girder was clinched into the wall”

clinch

(verb) embrace amorously

clench, clinch

(verb) hold in a tight grasp; “clench a steering wheel”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

clinch (third-person singular simple present clinches, present participle clinching, simple past and past participle clinched)

To clasp; to interlock. [1560s]

To make certain; to finalize. [1716]

To fasten securely or permanently.

To bend and hammer the point of (a nail) so it cannot be removed. [17th century]

To embrace passionately.

To hold firmly; to clench.

To set closely together; to close tightly.

Synonyms

• (fasten securely): attach, join, put together; see also join

• (hold firmly): clasp, grasp, grip; See also grasp

Noun

clinch (plural clinches)

Any of several fastenings.

The act or process of holding fast; that which serves to hold fast; a grip or grasp.

(obsolete) A pun.

(nautical) 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.

A passionate embrace.

In combat sports, the act of one or both fighters holding onto the other to prevent being hit or engage in standup grappling.

Proper noun

Clinch

A surname.

Source: Wiktionary

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Clinch (; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clinched; p. pr. & vb. n. Clinching.] Etym: [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.

2. To set closely together; to close tightly; as, to clinch the teeth or the first. Swift.

3. The bend or turn over the point of (something that has been driven trough an object), so that it will hold fast; as, to clinch a nail.

4. To make conclusive; to confirm; to establish; as, to clinch an argument. South.

Clinch, v. i.

Definition: To hold fast; to grasp something firmly; to seize or grasp one another.

Clinch, 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.

2. A pun. Pope.

3. (Naut.)

Definition: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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