I. ˈklinch verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: probably alteration of clench (I)
transitive verb
1.
a. : to turn over or flatten the protruding pointed end of (a driven nail) in order to secure ; also : to treat (a screw, bolt, or rivet) in a similar way
b. : to fasten by means of a nail, bolt, or similar article treated in this way
clinch two planks together
c. : to fasten firmly in a manner resembling this way or as if in this way
this new method takes regular flat stitching wire … then drives and clinches the stitch
clinched their hold
2. : clench 2
he spoke between his clinched teeth — W.F.Davis
3.
a. : to settle or make final, irrefutable, definite, or beyond dispute
clinch an argument
clinch a sale
the rain clinched the matter — we would have to stay indoors
clinch a bargain
the many laboratory tests which finally clinched his suspicions — British Book News
b. : to secure or gain conclusively or beyond question : win
clinch a basketball title
clinch the governorship
4. : to fasten (as a rope) by means of a clinch
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to grasp and struggle at close quarters (as in wrestling)
b. : to hold an opponent (as in boxing) at close quarters (as by the arms or around the waist) with one or both arms so that no blows or only blows at short range can be exchanged
after a furious trading of punches, the fighters clinched
c. slang : to embrace especially passionately
lovers about to clinch — Bernard Hollowood
2. : to hold fast or firmly — usually used of a nail, bolt, or rivet that has been clinched
if the floor is cement, clout nails will clinch automatically — Herbert Philippi
II. noun
( -es )
1.
a. : a slip noose consisting of a small loop made with seizings in the end of a line around its own standing part — compare inside clinch , outside clinch
b. : the part of the rope fastened with this type of noose
2.
a. : a fastening by means of a clinched nail, rivet, or bolt (as a rivet or bolt with the protruding end flattened down over a ring put around it for the purpose) ; also : the clinched part of a nail, bolt, or rivet
b. : a device that grips or fastens securely : clamp
3. archaic : a pun or play on words
4. : the act or an instance of clinching (as an argument, case, sale, or title)
5.
a. : a scuffle involving clinching between two persons
b. : the act or fact of clinching in boxing
c. slang : a passionate embrace
III. adjective
or clinch·er -chə(r)
Etymology: clinch from clinch (II) (fastening); clincher from clincher, n., “fastener”
: lap-jointed, lapstrake