Clinched

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Clinch \Clinch\ (kl[i^]nch; 224), v. 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.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To set closely together; to close tightly; as, to clinch
        the teeth or the first. --Swift.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     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 nail.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To make conclusive; to confirm; to establish; as, to
        clinch an argument. --South.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  clinched
       adj : closed or squeezed together tightly; "a clenched fist"; "his
             clenched (or clinched) teeth" [syn: {clenched}]