PINCH • FREE-TRANSLATOR.COM • Definition of Pinch

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/pɪntʃ/ Listen

noun

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."

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.

verb

Pinch v. t. (past & past part. pinched; pres. part. pinching)

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.

To seize; to grip; to bite; said of animals. (Obs.) "He (the hound) pinched and pulled her down."

3.

To plait. (Obs.) "Full seemly her wimple ipinched was."

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."

5.

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

6.

To seize by way of theft; to steal; to lift. (Slang)

7.

To catch; to arrest (a criminal).

Pinch v. i.

1.

To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.

2.

(Hunt.) To take hold; to grip, as a dog does. (Obs.)

3.

To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous. "The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare."

To pinch at, to find fault with; to take exception to. (Obs.)

See images of 'Pinch'

Etymology of 'Pinch'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Pinch" Quotes from Famous Books

... believes in the girl who has the capacity for making mistakes,—that headlong, energetic spirit which blunders all too easily. But the writer knows how much those mistakes hurt and how much energy might be saved for a life that, with just a pinch less of blunder, might be none the less savoury. School and college are no place for vocal soloists, and after some of us have sung so sweetly and so long at home, with every one saying, "Just hear Mary sing, isn't it wonderful!" it is rather trying, ...

— A Girl's Student Days and After • Jeannette Marks

... calculated to do the most good. There was little of the deer's breast exposed as with lowered head he charged toward this new enemy. But Max had all the necessary requisites that go to make up the good hunter—a quick eye, a sure hand, and excellent judgment in a pinch. ...

— With Trapper Jim in the North Woods • Lawrence J. Leslie

... in great vse, so is there much deceite in it, some play vppon the prick, some pinch the cardes priuily with their nailes, some turne vp the corners, some marke them with fine spots of Inck, some there be that trauell into Spaine and into Italie to learne fine tricks and quaint conueyances, ...

— The Art of Iugling or Legerdemaine • Samuel Rid

... worshipped. The term Waghya is derived from vagh, a tiger, and has been given to the order on account of the small bag of tiger-skin, containing bhandar, or powdered turmeric, which they carry round their necks. This has been consecrated to Khandoba and they apply a pinch of it to the foreheads of those who give them alms. Murli, signifying 'a flute' is the name given to female devotees. Waghya is a somewhat indefinite term and in the Central Provinces does not strictly denote a caste. ...

— The Tribes and Castes of the Central Provinces of India - Volume IV of IV - Kumhar-Yemkala • R.V. Russell

... enough for one night. I left a generous pinch of salt where he could find it easily, and crept in to sleep, leaving him to his own ...

— Ways of Wood Folk • William J. Long

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