Clinch (?; 224), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clinched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Clinching.] [OE. clenchen, prop. causative of clink to cause to clink, to strike; cf. D. klinken to tinkle, rivet. See Clink.]
1.
To hold firmly; to hold fast by grasping or embracing tightly.
"
Clinch the pointed spear."
Dryden.
2.
To set closely together; to close tightly; as, to clinch the teeth or the first.
Swift.
3.
The bend or turn over the point of (something that has been driven trough an object), so that it will hold fast; as, to clinch a nail.
4.
To make conclusive; to confirm; to establish; as, to clinch an argument.
South.
© Webster 1913.
Clinch, v. i.
To hold fast; to grasp something firmly; to seize or grasp one another.
© Webster 1913.
Clinch (?), n.
1.
The act or process of holding fast; that which serves to hold fast; a grip; a grasp; a clamp; a holdfast; as, to get a good clinch of an antagonist, or of a weapon; to secure anything by a clinch.
2.
A pun.
Pope.
3. Naut.
A hitch or bend by which a rope is made fast to the ring of an anchor, or the breeching of a ship's gun to the ringbolts.
© Webster 1913.