Category:Pinch

Pinch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Pinched; p. pr. & vb. n. Pinching.] Etym: [f. pincer, probably fr. Od. pitsen to pinch; akin to g. pfetzen to Cut, pinch; perhaps of celtic origin. Cf. Piece.]

1. To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, between Teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or Compress, as between any two hard bodies.

2. o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals. [obs.] He [the hound] pinched and pulled her down. Chapman.

3. To plait. [obs.] Full seemly her wimple ipinched was. Chaucer.

4. Figuratively: to cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to Distress; as, to be pinched for money. Want of room. . . pinching a whole nation. Sir w. Raleigh.

5. To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.

Pinch Pinch, v. i.

1. To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe Pinches."

2. (hunt.)

Defn: to take hold; to grip, as a dog does. [obs.]

3. To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous. Gower. The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare. Franklin. To pinch at, to find fault with; to take exception to. [obs.] Chaucer.

Pinch Pinch, n.

1. A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an Instrument; a nip.

2. As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very Small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.

3. Pian; pang. "necessary's sharp pinch." Shak.

4. A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- Used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar. At a Pinch, on a pinch, in an emergency; as, he could on a pinch read a Little latin.