PINCER


Meaning of PINCER in English

n.

Pronunciation: ' pin(t)-s ə r, esp for 1 US often ' pin-ch ə r

Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction

Etymology: Middle English pinceour, from Anglo-French *pinceour, pinchure, from Anglo-French *pincher, pincer to pinch, from Vulgar Latin *pinctiare, *punctiare, from Latin punctum puncture ― more at POINT

Date: 14th century

1 : an instrument having two short handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and used for gripping things

2 : a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers : CHELA

3 : PINCER MOVEMENT

– pin · cer · like \ - ˌ l ī k \ adjective

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.