clinch (klinch),USA pronunciation v.t. - to settle (a matter) decisively:After they clinched the deal they went out to celebrate.
- Buildingto 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.
- Buildingto fasten (objects) together by nails, screws, etc., secured in this manner.
- Nautical, Naval Termsto fasten by a clinch.
v.i. - Sport[Boxing.]to engage in a clinch:The boxers clinched and were separated by the referee.
- Slang Termsto embrace, esp. passionately.
- (of a clinched nail, screw, etc.) to hold fast;
be secure.
n. - the act of clinching.
- Sport[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.
- Slang Termsa passionate embrace.
- a clinched nail or fastening.
- Buildingthe bent part of a clinched nail, screw, etc.
- Naval Termsa 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.
- [Archaic.]a pun.
Also, clench (for defs. 1–4, 9, 11, 12).
- later variant of Middle English clench 1560–70
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged . cinch, secure, close, conclude, confirm.