clincher

American  

[klin-cher] / ˈklɪn tʃər /

noun

1. a person or thing that clinches.

2. a statement, argument, fact, situation, or the like, that is decisive or conclusive.

   The heat was the clincher that made us decide to leave the city.

3. a nail, screw, etc., for clinching.

4. Automotive. a clincher tire.

---

clincher British  

/ ˈklɪntʃə /

noun

1. informal something decisive, such as a fact, score, etc

2. a person or thing that clinches

---

Etymology

Origin of clincher

1485–95; variant of Middle English clencher ( clench + -er ¹ )

Example Sentences

With all his irregularities, Pinkethman was accounted a serviceable actor, and was often entrusted with characters of real importance, such as Dr. Caius, Feeble, Abel Drugger, Beau Clincher, Humphrey Gubbin, and Jerry Blackacre.

From A Book of the Play Studies and Illustrations of Histrionic Story, Life, and Character by Cook, Dutton

Know him! why, it is Clincher, who was apprentice to my uncle Smuggler, the merchant in the city.

From The Constant Couple or, A Trip to the Jubilee by Farquhar, George

S. Yes, yes, madam, I exposed you to the courtship of your fool Clincher, too; I hope your female wiles will impose that upon me——also—— Lady L. Clincher!

From The Constant Couple or, A Trip to the Jubilee by Farquhar, George

The Clincher Held in Reserve He held in reserve a closing method that a less skillful salesman probably would have used earlier in the sale instead of reserving it especially for the end.

From Certain Success by Hawkins, Norval A.

It was easy for the porter in Farquhar to pass for Beau Clincher, by borrowing his lace and his pulvilio.

From Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron