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pinch - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'pinch' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Pinch [ n.]
- A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.
- As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.
- Pian; pang.
- A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar.
2 . Pinch [ v. i.]
- To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.
- To take hold; to grip, as a dog does.
- To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous.
3 . Pinch [ v. t.]
- 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.
- o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals.
- To plait.
- Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.
- To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.

Meaning of 'pinch' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . pinch [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
Example in sentence:
  • he never knew what to do in an emergency
Meaning (2):
- a painful or straitened circumstance
Example in sentence:
  • the pinch of the recession
Meaning (3):
- the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
Example in sentence:
  • the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
Meaning (4):
- a slight but appreciable amount
Example in sentence:
  • this dish could use a touch of garlic
5 . pinch [ v]
Meaning (5):
- squeeze tightly between the fingers
Example in sentence:
  • He pinched her behind;
  • She squeezed the bottle
Meaning (6):
- irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear
Example in sentence:
  • smooth surfaces can vellicate the teeth;
  • the pain is as if sharp points pinch your back
Meaning (7):
- cut the top off
Example in sentence:
  • top trees and bushes

Nearby Words:

pin pin-eyed pin-tailed pinaces pinacoid pinacolin pinacone pinacotheca pinafore pinakothek

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