An implement consisting of two limbs or ‘legs’ connected by a hinge, pivot, or spring, by means of… in singular form tong. Obsolete.

An implement consisting of two limbs or ‘legs’ connected by a hinge, pivot, or spring, by means of… in plural form with plural construction: the…

(A pair of) pincers, forceps. In early use also: pliers, tongs. Esp. in pair of pinsons.

A pair of smith's pincers; pincers or nippers generally; forceps.

In plural. A metal tool consisting of a pair of blunt jaws attached to handles joined at a central pivot, used to grip something firmly and usually…

In plural. Surgical forceps or tweezers. Also in singular in the same sense. Cf. twitcher, n. 2a, quitch, n.2 Obsolete. rare.

†(a) pincers, tweezers (obsolete); (b) in plural curling tongs (now historical).

A small pair of pincers; tweezers. Also in plural.

With plural agreement. = pincer, n. 1.

spec. An instrument for pinching or grasping something; (in plural frequently) = a pair of pincers at pincer, n. 1.

An instrument for pinching or plucking something. A tool used to clinch hog rings (hog ring n. at hog, n.1 compounds 2a). Also in plural in the…

plural. Pincers, forceps: cf. tenaculum, n. 1. Obsolete.

= twitch, n.1 1a.

With plural agreement. Pincers, forceps: = tenaille, n. 1.

An instrument of the pincers kind, used for seizing and holding objects, esp. in surgical and obstetric operations.

Something which pinches or nips so as to hold fast (see quot.).

technical. (See quots.)