Definition of Pinch

1. Noun. A painful or straitened circumstance. "The pinch of the recession"

Generic synonyms: Difficulty

2. Verb. Squeeze tightly between the fingers. "They pinch the trees"; "She squeezed the bottle"
Exact synonyms: Nip, Squeeze, Tweet, Twinge, Twitch
Generic synonyms: Grip
Specialized synonyms: Goose, Tweak
Derivative terms: Nipper, Squeeze, Squeeze

3. Noun. An injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed.
Generic synonyms: Harm, Hurt, Injury, Trauma

4. Verb. Make ridges into by pinching together.
Exact synonyms: Crimp
Generic synonyms: Fold, Fold Up, Turn Up
Specialized synonyms: Flute
Derivative terms: Crimp

5. Noun. A slight but appreciable amount. "This dish could use a touch of garlic"
Exact synonyms: Hint, Jot, Mite, Soupcon, Speck, Tinge, Touch
Generic synonyms: Small Indefinite Amount, Small Indefinite Quantity
Specialized synonyms: Snuff

6. Verb. Make off with belongings of others. "They pinch the money "
Exact synonyms: Abstract, Cabbage, Filch, Hook, Lift, Nobble, Pilfer, Purloin, Snarf, Sneak, Swipe
Generic synonyms: Steal
Derivative terms: Cabbage, Lifter, Pilferage, Pilferer

7. Noun. A sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action. ; "He never knew what to do in an emergency"
Exact synonyms: Emergency, Exigency
Generic synonyms: Crisis
Derivative terms: Emergent, Exigent

8. Verb. Cut the top off. "They pinch the trees"; "Top trees and bushes"
Exact synonyms: Top
Generic synonyms: Clip, Crop, Cut Back, Dress, Lop, Prune, Snip, Trim
Specialized synonyms: Tail
Derivative terms: Top, Topper

9. Noun. A small sharp bite or snip.
Exact synonyms: Nip
Generic synonyms: Clip, Clipping, Snip, Bite, Chomp
Derivative terms: Nip

10. Verb. Irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear. "The pain is as if sharp points pinch your back"
Exact synonyms: Vellicate
Generic synonyms: Irritate

11. Noun. A squeeze with the fingers.
Exact synonyms: Tweak
Generic synonyms: Squeeze, Squeezing
Derivative terms: Tweak, Tweak

12. Noun. The act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal). "The policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
Exact synonyms: Apprehension, Arrest, Catch, Collar, Taking Into Custody
Generic synonyms: Capture, Gaining Control, Seizure
Derivative terms: Apprehend, Arrest, Catch, Collar

Definition of Pinch

1. 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.

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

3. n. A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.

4. v. t. To seize by way of theft; to steal; also, to catch; to arrest.

Definition of Pinch

1. Verb. To squeeze a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt. ¹

2. Verb. To steal, usually of something almost trivial or inconsequential. ¹

3. Verb. To arrest or capture. ¹

4. Verb. (horticulture) To cut shoots or buds of a plant in order to shape the plant, or to improve its yield. ¹

5. Verb. (nautical) To sail so close-hauled that the sails begin to flutter. ¹

6. Verb. ¹

7. Noun. The action of squeezing a small amount of a person's skin and flesh, making it hurt. ¹

8. Noun. A small amount of powder or granules, such that the amount could be held between fingertip and thumb tip. ¹

9. Noun. An awkward situation of some kind (especially money or social) which is difficult to escape. ¹

10. Noun. An organic herbal smoke additive. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Pinch

1. to squeeze between two edges or surfaces [v -ED, -ING, -ES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Pinch

pinboard
pinboards
pinbone
pinbones
pincase
pincases
pince-nez
pincement
pincer
pincer attack
pincer nail
pincered
pincering
pincerlike
pincers
pinch (current term)
pinch-hit
pinch-hits
pinch-hitter
pinch-hitting
pinch and a punch for the first of the month
pinch bar
pinch cake
pinch effect
pinch graft
pinch hit
pinch hits
pinch hitter
pinch hitters

Literary usage of Pinch

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Philosophical Magazine (1830)
"Satron Hangers to pinch Yate. Feet. By pinch Yate and Calvey 21874 Bakestone ... By pinch Yate and Barker 32664 -• Bakestone Edge 68 Mean 32666 Holgate ..."

2. Bell's British Theatre, Consisting of the Most Esteemed English Plays by John Bell (1780)
"Mrs. pinch. Yes, for he lent away a youth that wa« there, for fome dried fruit and ... pinch. So, and you two were only in the room. pinch. Did he fo ? ..."

3. Philosophical Magazine (1830)
"Satron Hangers to pinch Yate. Feet. By pinch Yate and Calvey 21874 Bakestone ... By pinch Yate and Barker 32664 -• Bakestone Edge 68 Mean 32666 Holgate ..."

4. Bell's British Theatre, Consisting of the Most Esteemed English Plays by John Bell (1780)
"Mrs. pinch. Yes, for he lent away a youth that wa« there, for fome dried fruit and ... pinch. So, and you two were only in the room. pinch. Did he fo ? ..."

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