clenchn.

/klɛnʃ/

Forms: See also clinch n.¹

Etymology: < clench v.¹

I. That which clenches or is clenched.

1. That part of a nail or bolt which is turned back in clenching. Also clinch n.¹

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > nail > parts of nails

rivet1392

nail head1440

shank1483

clench1598

clinch1725

dog-head1793

society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > bolt > parts of

clench1598

bolt-head1691

snug1843

snap head1869

box-strap1874

cup-head1929

1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 101 The roofe of this hall is..wrought of the like boorde & nayled with rugh and clench.

1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vi. 60 Holding onely by the weakest part of the naile, which is the verie pointe of the clench.

1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Retraits Knock gently on the top of the Clenches of the lame Foot.

1868 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army ⁋571 Shoes are to be fastened, and projecting clenches reduced.

2. Nautical. The clinch n.¹ of a cable.

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > knot used by sailors > specific

bowline-knot1627

clinch1627

sheepshank1627

wall-knot1627

running bowline1710

running bowline knot1726

bend1769

clove-hitch1769

half-hitch1769

hitch1769

walnut1769

cat's paw1794

midshipman's hitch1794

reef knot1794

clench1804

French shroud knot1808

carrick bend1819

bowline1823

slippery hitch1832

wall1834

Matthew Walker1841

shroud-knot1860

stopper-knotc1860

marling hitch1867

wind-knot1870

Portuguese knot1871

rosette1875

chain knota1877

stopper-hitch1876

swab-hitch1883

monkey fist1917

Spanish bowline1968

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > a bond, tie, or fastening > [noun] > knot > any knot used by sailors > other specific sailors' knots

bowline-knot1627

clinch1627

sheepshank1627

wall-knot1627

running bowline1710

running bowline knot1726

bend1769

clove-hitch1769

half-hitch1769

hitch1769

walnut1769

Magnus hitch1794

midshipman's hitch1794

clench1804

French shroud knot1808

carrick bend1819

bowline1823

slippery hitch1832

wall1834

cat's paw1840

Matthew Walker1841

shroud-knot1860

stopper-knotc1860

Portuguese knot1871

chain knota1877

stopper-hitch1876

swab-hitch1883

Spanish bowline1968

1804 A. Duncan Mariner's Chron. III. 111 The sheet-cable tore out with..violence..till the clench brought up the ship.

II. The action of clenching.

3. In various senses of the verb; e.g. a grasp, grip, clutch; tight closure of the teeth, fist, etc.; secure fastening of a nail, etc.; figurative conclusive confirmation of an argument, etc.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > [noun] > with nails

nailingc1390

clenchingc1440

clinging1607

clinchinga1714

spiking1775

clench1781

skew nailing1929

the world > space > relative position > posture > act of drawing body into compact form > [noun] > clenching teeth, fist, etc.

clench1856

1781 Ann. Reg. 1779 ii. 103/2 The laths..ought to be laid..close to each other..to allow of a proper clench for the rough plaster.

1856 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) xiv. 465 [They] keep their hands fixed in it with a clench never relaxed.

1865 A. D. Whitney Gayworthys 143 He set [his teeth] tight... He barely relaxed their clench.

†4. A play on words, pun, quibble. Obsolete or archaic. Also clinch n.¹

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > wit with words > [noun] > play on words, pun

allusion1550

nick1561

paronomasia1577

paronomasy1592

quiblin1605

quibblea1627

quiblet1627

clinch1629

quibbling1633

clink1634

clench1638

pun1644

conundrum1645

whim1652

pundigrion1673

jeu de mots1823

calembour1830

Tom Swifty1963

paronym1982

1638 T. Nabbes Covent Garden v. vi. 70 A Countrey fellow full of knavish clinches.

1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 47 To begin, then, with Shakespeare..He is many times flat, insipid; his Comick wit degenerating into clenches, his serious swelling into Bombast.

1728 A. Pope Dunciad i. 51 One poor Word a hundred clenches makes.

1807 I. D'Israeli Curiosities of Lit. 1st Ser. (ed. 5) II. 311 Henry VII. made a viceroy of Ireland for the sake of a clench.

5. = clinch n.¹ 5.

ΘΚΠ

society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [noun] > a fight > at close grips

close1598

grabble1650

clinch1849

clench1880

1880 L. Parr Adam & Eve xxviii. 395 I ain't goin' to be ‘jammed in a clench, like Jackson’.

6. Combinations: in most cases the combinations are now written clinch n.¹; see Compounds at that entry.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

clenchv.¹

/klɛnʃ/

Forms: Middle English clenche, (past tense and participle Middle English clente, Middle English–1500s cleynt), 1600s– clench. See also clinch v.¹, clink v.²

Etymology: Middle English clench-en (also in York Myst. cleyngk ) < Old English clęnc(e)an, in beclęncan = Old High German chlankhan , chlęnkan , klenkan , Middle High German klenken , to fasten closely together, tie, knot, entwine < Old Germanic type *klankjan , a causative of *klink- , klank- , klunk- , co-existing with kling- , klang- , klung- (see cling v.¹), apparently in the sense ‘to cling, stick fast, adhere’; so that klankjan was ‘to make to stick firmly together, to rivet’. In the same sense Dutch, East Frisian, and Low German have klinken , Danish klinke , Swedish klinka , which are closely related (though not identical) formations. Northern English and Scots have also clink from 15th cent.; and from the 16th cent. onward, clench was frequently made into clinch . In current use clench and clinch are used indifferently in some senses, in some clench alone is used, and in others clinch is apparently preferred: see clinch v.¹, and compare the senses below.

a. transitive. To fix securely, make fast, as with nails, bolts, or the like; to secure (a nail or bolt) by beating back the point or end with a hammer after driving it through anything; to fasten (anything) by so clenching a nail or bolt; to rivet. Also absol. (In reference to a nail or the like, clinch v.¹ is apparently more usual.)

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with nails

nailOE

clencha1250

clinkc1440

rivetc1450

cloyc1460

clowa1522

to nail up1532

clinch1570

clint1575

inclavate1666

to nail down1669

a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1206 Ich wot ȝef smiþes schal uvele clenche.

c1305 Leg. Rood (1871) 138 Þe Cros..Whon crist for vs þer-on was cleynt.

c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 259 Your perle..is in cofer, so comly clente.

c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1133 Yclenched.

c1440 York Myst. viii. 106 It sall be cleyngked euer-ilka dele, With nayles þat are both noble and newe.

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 80 Clenchyn, retundo, repando.

1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 415 And is clenched as other nailes be.

1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 48 The Rings that were clenched on the ends of her Bolts.

1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite ii, in Fables 45 Tough Iron Plates were clench'd to make it strong.

1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding xiii. 251 Their ends being turned back outside the plates and beaten down or clenched.

figurative.1627 R. Sanderson Ten Serm. 462 Clench't and riuetted to their Cures.

b. intransitive (for reflexive)

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > fasten [verb (intransitive)]

tie1585

clench1850

1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 107 The fastenings..clench or turn upon the timbers.

1881 Mechanic §326 They will not clench.

a. To set firmly together, close tightly (the fingers, fist, teeth). (Formerly also clinch v.¹)

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > posture > act of drawing body into compact form > drawn into compact form [verb (transitive)] > clench

clitchc1025

fasten1559

knit1602

set1602

clinch1624

clench1755

grippen1814

grip1861

ball1890

1632 R. Sherwood Dict. in R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues (new ed.) To clench, comme to clinch. To clinch the fist, serrer le poing.]

1755 J. Wesley Primitive Physick (ed. 5) lviii. 51 Clench the fist.

1799 R. B. Sheridan Pizarro ii. iv I clench my hand, and fancy still it grasps a sword.

1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 392 The lower jaw had become clenched, and the teeth..strongly closed.

1855 C. Kingsley Heroes (1868) iii. 36 Her eyebrows were knit and her lips clenched with everlasting care and pain.

1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 179 She..clench'd her fingers till they bit the palm.

b. figurative. To brace up (one's nerves).

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person > a person or his attributes for an effort

before-girda1382

gird1592

muster1598

to wind up1602

to gather up1617

stringa1771

screw1821

clench1842

1842 Ld. Tennyson Love & Duty in Poems (new ed.) II. 86 Like those, that clench their nerves to rush Upon their dissolution.

1867 E. Luscombe in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1878) V. Ps. cv. 19 The three youths..had clenched their nerves for the climax of agony.

c. intransitive for reflexive.

ΘΚΠ

the world > space > relative position > posture > act of drawing body into compact form > drawn into compact form [verb (intransitive)] > clench

clunch1628

clinch1652

clench1843

1843 E. Jones Stud. Sensation & Event 151 Through Some dolphin's body nervously they [a shark's teeth] clench.

3. transitive. To grasp firmly, grip, clutch; to hold firmly in one's grasp.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > hold firmly, grip, or grasp

clipOE

agropeOE

gripec1175

clencha1300

umbegrip?a1400

clitchc1400

stablec1440

grappe?c1450

coll1490

spenda1500

strain1590

clutch1602

screw1617

fast-hand1632

grasp1774

nevel1788

firm1859

bear-hug1919

a1300 K. Horn 1476 He sette him on þe benche His harpe for to clenche.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 205 Heroes, whose dismember'd Hands yet..clench the pointed Spear.

a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 290 Their torpescent soul Clenches their coin.

1817 S. T. Coleridge Blessed are ye that Sow 9 Men who clench with one hand what they have grasped with the other.

figurative.1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby III. vii. vii. 153 His heart clenched the idea as a diver grasps a gem.

†4. intransitive. To fasten on; to cling. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > be or become attached or affixed [verb (intransitive)] > remain attached > adhere

cleavec897

to stick (cleave, cling, etc.) like a burc1330

sita1398

clinga1400

clengec1400

engleim?1440

adhere1557

clag1563

clasp1569

clencha1600

clung1601

clam1610

yclingec1620

affix1695

clinch1793

to stick (to one) like wax1809

cleam-

a1600 King & Barker 100 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 9 The barker cleynt on hem fast; He was sor aferde for to fall.

5. Nautical. To make fast (the end of a rope) in a particular way. (Also clinch v.¹)

ΘΚΠ

society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > bind or fasten

to turn in?1537

frap1548

reeve1627

seize1644

nip1670

marl1704

marline1706

clinch1780

nipper1794

clench1803

to turn in1834

1803 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 93 322 To clench each of the ends round two of the ports, excepting one that was clenched round the main-mast.

1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 455 A new hawser..was taken under the ship's bottom, the end clenched to the mainmast.

a. figurative. To fix, confirm, drive home, settle conclusively (an argument, a bargain, etc.); usually with the notion of fastening securely by a finishing stroke (figurative from 1). Also clinch v.¹

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > completing > complete (an action or piece of work) [verb (transitive)] > settle conclusively

clint1575

clenchc1677

clincha1714

the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)] > conclusively

clint1575

stick1611

clenchc1677

clincha1714

nail1787

c1677 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery 9 (bis) This Alliance..fixed at first by the Publick Interest..was by these Three Grants, as with three Golden Nails, sufficiently clenched and rivetted.

1748 Coll. Scarce & Valuable Tracts I. 187 (note) To clench his Argument, produces this State of the Government and Kingdom.

1750 H. Fielding Author's Farce (new ed.) i. v, in Wks. I. 187 Matrimony clenches Ruin beyond Retrieval.

1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk II. viii. 190 It is..the adaptation of the expression to the idea that clenches a writer's meaning.

1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) i. 5 This fact..would have utterly settled and clenched the business.

1883 J. R. Lumby in Queen's Printers' Bible Aids Gloss. at Earnest The primary meaning..is part-payment, to clench a bargain.

†b. intransitive (or with object sentence): To affirm emphatically or conclusively; to insist. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > statement > insistence or persistence > insist or persist [verb (intransitive)]

perseverec1380

clencha1400

standc1400

to stand to it1549

beat1579

insist1596

hammer1598

consist1600

persist1600

re-enforce1603

to swear pink1956

a1400 Cov. Myst. 385 (Mätz.) There are other..that clenche, And prechyn, he is levyng that we slewe.

c. To fix, settle.

ΚΠ

1881 D. G. Rossetti King's Tragedy xxxiv. Ballads & Sonn. 110 That eve was clenched for a boding storm.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† clenchv.²

Forms: Also Middle English clenke.

Etymology: Exact etymology doubtful: Stratmann connects it with the stem of clink v.¹: compare Middle High German klenken, to ring bells.To this verb some refer clench in K. Horn (clench v.¹ 3), with sense ‘make to sound, twang’.

Obsolete.

To chatter, talk against.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > utter in a chattering manner [verb (transitive)] > chatter or talk against

clenchc1315

c1315 Shoreh. 113 He compasyth venjaunce To hym that aȝen clenketh.

c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 80 Clenchyn a-ȝen (in wrawe speche) or chaueryn [? chatteryn] a-ȝen, for prowde herte, obgarrio.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2021).

n.1598

v.¹a1250

v.²c1315

单词	clench
释义	clenchn. /klɛnʃ/ Forms: See also clinch n.¹ Etymology: < clench v.¹ I. That which clenches or is clenched. 1. That part of a nail or bolt which is turned back in clenching. Also clinch n.¹ ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > nail > parts of nails rivet1392 nail head1440 shank1483 clench1598 clinch1725 dog-head1793 society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > bolt > parts of clench1598 bolt-head1691 snug1843 snap head1869 box-strap1874 cup-head1929 1598 J. Stow Suruay of London 101 The roofe of this hall is..wrought of the like boorde & nayled with rugh and clench. 1607 G. Markham Cavelarice vi. 60 Holding onely by the weakest part of the naile, which is the verie pointe of the clench. 1725 R. Bradley Chomel's Dictionaire Œconomique at Retraits Knock gently on the top of the Clenches of the lame Foot. 1868 Queen's Regulations & Orders Army ⁋571 Shoes are to be fastened, and projecting clenches reduced. 2. Nautical. The clinch n.¹ of a cable. ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > knot used by sailors > specific bowline-knot1627 clinch1627 sheepshank1627 wall-knot1627 running bowline1710 running bowline knot1726 bend1769 clove-hitch1769 half-hitch1769 hitch1769 walnut1769 cat's paw1794 midshipman's hitch1794 reef knot1794 clench1804 French shroud knot1808 carrick bend1819 bowline1823 slippery hitch1832 wall1834 Matthew Walker1841 shroud-knot1860 stopper-knotc1860 marling hitch1867 wind-knot1870 Portuguese knot1871 rosette1875 chain knota1877 stopper-hitch1876 swab-hitch1883 monkey fist1917 Spanish bowline1968 the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > a bond, tie, or fastening > [noun] > knot > any knot used by sailors > other specific sailors' knots bowline-knot1627 clinch1627 sheepshank1627 wall-knot1627 running bowline1710 running bowline knot1726 bend1769 clove-hitch1769 half-hitch1769 hitch1769 walnut1769 Magnus hitch1794 midshipman's hitch1794 clench1804 French shroud knot1808 carrick bend1819 bowline1823 slippery hitch1832 wall1834 cat's paw1840 Matthew Walker1841 shroud-knot1860 stopper-knotc1860 Portuguese knot1871 chain knota1877 stopper-hitch1876 swab-hitch1883 Spanish bowline1968 1804 A. Duncan Mariner's Chron. III. 111 The sheet-cable tore out with..violence..till the clench brought up the ship. II. The action of clenching. 3. In various senses of the verb; e.g. a grasp, grip, clutch; tight closure of the teeth, fist, etc.; secure fastening of a nail, etc.; figurative conclusive confirmation of an argument, etc. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > [noun] > with nails nailingc1390 clenchingc1440 clinging1607 clinchinga1714 spiking1775 clench1781 skew nailing1929 the world > space > relative position > posture > act of drawing body into compact form > [noun] > clenching teeth, fist, etc. clench1856 1781 Ann. Reg. 1779 ii. 103/2 The laths..ought to be laid..close to each other..to allow of a proper clench for the rough plaster. 1856 A. P. Stanley Sinai & Palestine (1858) xiv. 465 [They] keep their hands fixed in it with a clench never relaxed. 1865 A. D. Whitney Gayworthys 143 He set [his teeth] tight... He barely relaxed their clench. †4. A play on words, pun, quibble. Obsolete or archaic. Also clinch n.¹ ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > wit with words > [noun] > play on words, pun allusion1550 nick1561 paronomasia1577 paronomasy1592 quiblin1605 quibblea1627 quiblet1627 clinch1629 quibbling1633 clink1634 clench1638 pun1644 conundrum1645 whim1652 pundigrion1673 jeu de mots1823 calembour1830 Tom Swifty1963 paronym1982 1638 T. Nabbes Covent Garden v. vi. 70 A Countrey fellow full of knavish clinches. 1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 47 To begin, then, with Shakespeare..He is many times flat, insipid; his Comick wit degenerating into clenches, his serious swelling into Bombast. 1728 A. Pope Dunciad i. 51 One poor Word a hundred clenches makes. 1807 I. D'Israeli Curiosities of Lit. 1st Ser. (ed. 5) II. 311 Henry VII. made a viceroy of Ireland for the sake of a clench. 5. = clinch n.¹ 5. ΘΚΠ society > society and the community > dissent > fighting > [noun] > a fight > at close grips close1598 grabble1650 clinch1849 clench1880 1880 L. Parr Adam & Eve xxviii. 395 I ain't goin' to be ‘jammed in a clench, like Jackson’. 6. Combinations: in most cases the combinations are now written clinch n.¹; see Compounds at that entry. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online June 2022). clenchv.¹ /klɛnʃ/ Forms: Middle English clenche, (past tense and participle Middle English clente, Middle English–1500s cleynt), 1600s– clench. See also clinch v.¹, clink v.² Etymology: Middle English clench-en (also in York Myst. cleyngk ) < Old English clęnc(e)an, in beclęncan = Old High German chlankhan , chlęnkan , klenkan , Middle High German klenken , to fasten closely together, tie, knot, entwine < Old Germanic type klankjan , a causative of klink- , klank- , klunk- , co-existing with kling- , klang- , klung- (see cling v.¹), apparently in the sense ‘to cling, stick fast, adhere’; so that klankjan was ‘to make to stick firmly together, to rivet’. In the same sense Dutch, East Frisian, and Low German have klinken , Danish klinke , Swedish klinka , which are closely related (though not identical) formations. Northern English and Scots have also clink from 15th cent.; and from the 16th cent. onward, clench was frequently made into clinch . In current use clench and clinch are used indifferently in some senses, in some clench alone is used, and in others clinch is apparently preferred: see clinch v.¹, and compare the senses below. 1. a. transitive. To fix securely, make fast, as with nails, bolts, or the like; to secure (a nail or bolt) by beating back the point or end with a hammer after driving it through anything; to fasten (anything) by so clenching a nail or bolt; to rivet. Also absol. (In reference to a nail or the like, clinch v.¹ is apparently more usual.) ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > fasten [verb (transitive)] > with nails nailOE clencha1250 clinkc1440 rivetc1450 cloyc1460 clowa1522 to nail up1532 clinch1570 clint1575 inclavate1666 to nail down1669 a1250 Owl & Nightingale 1206 Ich wot ȝef smiþes schal uvele clenche. c1305 Leg. Rood (1871) 138 Þe Cros..Whon crist for vs þer-on was cleynt. c1400 (?c1380) Pearl l. 259 Your perle..is in cofer, so comly clente. c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1133 Yclenched. c1440 York Myst. viii. 106 It sall be cleyngked euer-ilka dele, With nayles þat are both noble and newe. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 80 Clenchyn, retundo, repando. 1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 415 And is clenched as other nailes be. 1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 48 The Rings that were clenched on the ends of her Bolts. 1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite ii, in Fables 45 Tough Iron Plates were clench'd to make it strong. 1869 E. J. Reed Shipbuilding xiii. 251 Their ends being turned back outside the plates and beaten down or clenched. figurative.1627 R. Sanderson Ten Serm. 462 Clench't and riuetted to their Cures. b. intransitive (for reflexive) ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > fasten [verb (intransitive)] tie1585 clench1850 1850 J. Greenwood Sailor's Sea-bk. 107 The fastenings..clench or turn upon the timbers. 1881 Mechanic §326 They will not clench. 2. a. To set firmly together, close tightly (the fingers, fist, teeth). (Formerly also clinch v.¹) ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > posture > act of drawing body into compact form > drawn into compact form [verb (transitive)] > clench clitchc1025 fasten1559 knit1602 set1602 clinch1624 clench1755 grippen1814 grip1861 ball1890 1632 R. Sherwood Dict. in R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues (new ed.) To clench, comme to clinch. To clinch the fist, serrer le poing.] 1755 J. Wesley Primitive Physick (ed. 5) lviii. 51 Clench the fist. 1799 R. B. Sheridan Pizarro ii. iv I clench my hand, and fancy still it grasps a sword. 1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 392 The lower jaw had become clenched, and the teeth..strongly closed. 1855 C. Kingsley Heroes (1868) iii. 36 Her eyebrows were knit and her lips clenched with everlasting care and pain. 1859 Ld. Tennyson Elaine in Idylls of King 179 She..clench'd her fingers till they bit the palm. b. figurative. To brace up (one's nerves). ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > undertaking > preparation > prepare [verb (transitive)] > specifically a person > a person or his attributes for an effort before-girda1382 gird1592 muster1598 to wind up1602 to gather up1617 stringa1771 screw1821 clench1842 1842 Ld. Tennyson Love & Duty in Poems (new ed.) II. 86 Like those, that clench their nerves to rush Upon their dissolution. 1867 E. Luscombe in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1878) V. Ps. cv. 19 The three youths..had clenched their nerves for the climax of agony. c. intransitive for reflexive. ΘΚΠ the world > space > relative position > posture > act of drawing body into compact form > drawn into compact form [verb (intransitive)] > clench clunch1628 clinch1652 clench1843 1843 E. Jones Stud. Sensation & Event 151 Through Some dolphin's body nervously they [a shark's teeth] clench. 3. transitive. To grasp firmly, grip, clutch; to hold firmly in one's grasp. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > absence of movement > hold or holding > hold [verb (transitive)] > hold firmly, grip, or grasp clipOE agropeOE gripec1175 clencha1300 umbegrip?a1400 clitchc1400 stablec1440 grappe?c1450 coll1490 spenda1500 strain1590 clutch1602 screw1617 fast-hand1632 grasp1774 nevel1788 firm1859 bear-hug1919 a1300 K. Horn 1476 He sette him on þe benche His harpe for to clenche. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 205 Heroes, whose dismember'd Hands yet..clench the pointed Spear. a1763 W. Shenstone Wks. Verse & Prose (1764) I. 290 Their torpescent soul Clenches their coin. 1817 S. T. Coleridge Blessed are ye that Sow 9 Men who clench with one hand what they have grasped with the other. figurative.1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby III. vii. vii. 153 His heart clenched the idea as a diver grasps a gem. †4. intransitive. To fasten on; to cling. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fact or action of being joined or joining > attachment > be or become attached or affixed [verb (intransitive)] > remain attached > adhere cleavec897 to stick (cleave, cling, etc.) like a burc1330 sita1398 clinga1400 clengec1400 engleim?1440 adhere1557 clag1563 clasp1569 clencha1600 clung1601 clam1610 yclingec1620 affix1695 clinch1793 to stick (to one) like wax1809 cleam- a1600 King & Barker 100 in W. C. Hazlitt Remains Early Pop. Poetry Eng. (1864) I. 9 The barker cleynt on hem fast; He was sor aferde for to fall. 5. Nautical. To make fast (the end of a rope) in a particular way. (Also clinch v.¹) ΘΚΠ society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > bind or fasten to turn in?1537 frap1548 reeve1627 seize1644 nip1670 marl1704 marline1706 clinch1780 nipper1794 clench1803 to turn in1834 1803 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 93 322 To clench each of the ends round two of the ports, excepting one that was clenched round the main-mast. 1820 W. Scoresby Acct. Arctic Regions II. 455 A new hawser..was taken under the ship's bottom, the end clenched to the mainmast. 6. a. figurative. To fix, confirm, drive home, settle conclusively (an argument, a bargain, etc.); usually with the notion of fastening securely by a finishing stroke (figurative from 1). Also clinch v.¹ ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > completing > complete (an action or piece of work) [verb (transitive)] > settle conclusively clint1575 clenchc1677 clincha1714 the mind > attention and judgement > testing > proof, demonstration > prove, demonstrate [verb (transitive)] > conclusively clint1575 stick1611 clenchc1677 clincha1714 nail1787 c1677 A. Marvell Acct. Growth Popery 9 (bis) This Alliance..fixed at first by the Publick Interest..was by these Three Grants, as with three Golden Nails, sufficiently clenched and rivetted. 1748 Coll. Scarce & Valuable Tracts I. 187 (note) To clench his Argument, produces this State of the Government and Kingdom. 1750 H. Fielding Author's Farce (new ed.) i. v, in Wks. I. 187 Matrimony clenches Ruin beyond Retrieval. 1822 W. Hazlitt Table-talk II. viii. 190 It is..the adaptation of the expression to the idea that clenches a writer's meaning. 1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) i. 5 This fact..would have utterly settled and clenched the business. 1883 J. R. Lumby in Queen's Printers' Bible Aids Gloss. at Earnest The primary meaning..is part-payment, to clench a bargain. †b. intransitive (or with object sentence): To affirm emphatically or conclusively; to insist. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > statement > insistence or persistence > insist or persist [verb (intransitive)] perseverec1380 clencha1400 standc1400 to stand to it1549 beat1579 insist1596 hammer1598 consist1600 persist1600 re-enforce1603 to swear pink1956 a1400 Cov. Myst. 385 (Mätz.) There are other..that clenche, And prechyn, he is levyng that we slewe. c. To fix, settle. ΚΠ 1881 D. G. Rossetti King's Tragedy xxxiv. Ballads & Sonn. 110 That eve was clenched for a boding storm. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † clenchv.² Forms: Also Middle English clenke. Etymology: Exact etymology doubtful: Stratmann connects it with the stem of clink v.¹: compare Middle High German klenken, to ring bells.To this verb some refer clench in K. Horn (clench v.¹ 3), with sense ‘make to sound, twang’. Obsolete. To chatter, talk against. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > utter in a chattering manner [verb (transitive)] > chatter or talk against clenchc1315 c1315 Shoreh. 113 He compasyth venjaunce To hym that aȝen clenketh. c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 80 Clenchyn a-ȝen (in wrawe speche) or chaueryn [? chatteryn] a-ȝen, for prowde herte, obgarrio. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1889; most recently modified version published online March 2021). < n.1598v.¹a1250v.²c1315
随便看	putter-in putter-off putter-on putter-out putter-together putter-up putteraway putterback putterdown puttered putterer putterers putterin puttering putteringly putterling putteroff putteron putterout putters putters-in putters-on putters-out putters-up puttertogether

clenchn.

clenchv.1

† clenchv.2

clenchv.¹

† clenchv.²