clinch

[ klinch ]

verb (used with object)

1. to settle (a matter) decisively:

   After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.

   Synonyms: confirm, conclude, close, secure, cinch

2. to secure (a nail, screw, etc.) in position by beating down the protruding point:

   He drove the nails through the board and clinched the points flat with a hammer.

3. to fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.
4. Nautical. to fasten by a clinch.

verb (used without object)

1. Boxing. to engage in a clinch:

   The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.

2. Slang. to embrace, especially passionately.
3. (of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast; be secure.

noun

1. the act of clinching.
2. Boxing. an act or instance of one or both boxers holding the other about the arms or body in order to prevent or hinder the opponent's punches.
3. Slang. a passionate embrace.
4. a clinched nail or fastening.
5. the bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.
6. a knot or bend in which a bight or eye is made by making a loop or turn in the rope and seizing the end to the standing part.
7. Archaic. a pun.

clinch

/ klɪntʃ /

verb

1. tr to secure (a driven nail) by bending the protruding point over
2. tr to hold together in such a manner

   to clinch the corners of the frame

3. tr to settle (something, such as an argument, bargain, etc) in a definite way
4. tr nautical to fasten by means of a clinch
5. intr to engage in a clinch, as in boxing or wrestling

noun

1. the act of clinching
2. 1. a nail with its point bent over
   2. the part of such a nail, etc, that has been bent over
3. boxing wrestling an act or an instance in which one or both competitors hold on to the other to avoid punches, regain wind, etc
4. slang.
   a lovers' embrace
5. nautical a loop or eye formed in a line by seizing the end to the standing part.

Other Words From

• clinching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinch¹

First recorded in 1560–70; later variant of Middle English clench

Word History and Origins

Origin of clinch¹

C16: variant of clench

Example Sentences

Notably, a 6-turn clinch knot and a 5-turn improved clinch also came in at 96%, but only if they were tied with extreme care.

From Popular-Science

That touched me, the clinch that suggested he wanted to share a portion of his life with his oldest friend.

From MIT Technology Review

Only the finest vintages and producers will clinch the deal.

From The Daily Beast

The video was directed by Danny Clinch and features footage of Hurricane Sandy, atomic explosions, and rising water levels.

From The Daily Beast

The photos were shot by Danny Clinch in the Salisbury House museum in Des Moines, Iowa.

From The Daily Beast

The Rabin government went on to clinch a first-ever peace deal with the Palestinians.

From The Daily Beast

The twit, Guy Clinch, is the unlucky father of Marmaduke, an 18-month-old prodigy of domestic mayhem.

From The Daily Beast

A gentle breath from heaven makes the basket decline a little and the ropes creak against the hardwood clinch blocks.

From Project Gutenberg

Our natural impulse now is to slightly clinch our teeth when we shake our heads to mean “no.”

From Project Gutenberg

Could the people of the Clinch and Holston have felt the same confidence, they would have spared themselves much nagging.

From Project Gutenberg

And so step by step the devil thrust him into desperation, and strove thereby to clinch the hopelessness of his estate.

From Project Gutenberg

There would be small chance of another band raiding down the Clinch for some time at least.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• assure
• cap
• conclude
• decide
• seal