v.
Pronunciation: ' klench
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English -clencan; akin to Old English clingan to cling
Date: 13th century
1 : CLINCH 2
2 : to hold fast : CLUTCH < clench ed the arms of the chair>
3 : to set or close tightly < clench one's teeth> < clench one's fists>
– clench noun