clinch

American  

[klinch] / klɪntʃ /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of clinch

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

Example Sentences

The S&P clinched its first closing high of the new year, climbing 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite, which is still trading below its all-time high from October, also rose 0.6%.

From The Wall Street Journal

Elliott has a history of clinching lucrative deals in risky locales.

From The Wall Street Journal

Leonardo DiCaprio's breathless action thriller, One Battle After Another, clinched best picture, while Paul Thomas Anderson took home best director.

From BBC

England regained some pride by clinching the fourth Test at Melbourne by four wickets inside two days.

From Barron's

Meanwhile, Denver is expected to play its starters as it tries to clinch the AFC’s top playoff seed and a first-round bye.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assure
• cap
• conclude
• decide
• seal