Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Clinch
Clinch
(klĭnch; 224)
, Verb.
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.
2.
To set closely together; to close tightly;
as, to
. clinch
the teeth or the firstSwift.
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 nail4.
To make conclusive; to confirm; to establish;
as, to
. clinch
an argumentSouth.
Clinch
,Verb.
I.
To hold fast; to grasp something firmly; to seize or grasp one another.
Clinch
(klĭnch)
, Noun.
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.)
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Clinch
CLINCH
,Verb.
T.
1.
To gripe with the hand; to make fast by bending over, folding, or embracing closely. Thus, to clinch a nail, is to bend the point and drive it closely. To clinch the hand or fist, is to contract the fingers closely into the palm of the hand. To clinch an instrument, is to close the fingers and thumb round it, and hold it fast.2.
To fix or fasten; to make firm; as, to clinch an argument.CLINCH
, n.1.
A word used in a double meaning; a pun; an ambiguity; a duplicity of meaning, with identity of expression.Here one poor word a hundred clinches makes.
2.
A witty, ingenious reply.3.
In seamens language, the part of a cable which is fastened to the ring of an anchor; a kind of knot and seizings, used to fasten a cable to the ring of an anchor, and the britching of a gun to the ring bolts in a ships side.