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 Word Forms

• clinchingly 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

If he pulls further clear, he can go to Qatar next weekend in a position to clinch the title with one race still to go.

Read more on BBC

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat in the second Test on Saturday as the tourists look to clinch their first series win in India in 25 years.

Read more on Barron's

It was Abraham Lincoln who decisively developed Niles’s insight and clinched the case for the importance of the Revolution and the Founders to all Americans.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

First, they will need to win their semi-final at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina, where Wales clinched qualification for Euro 2016, their first major tournament for 58 years.

Read more on BBC

It has been 15 years since England last clinched an away Ashes series and since then they have failed to win a Test on Australian soil, losing 13 and drawing two.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• assure 
• cap 
• conclude 
• decide 
• seal