pinch

1. v. t. To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two hard bodies. Source: opted

2. v. t. o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals. Source: opted

3. v. t. To plait. Source: opted

4. v. t. Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money. Source: opted

5. v. t. To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4. Source: opted

6. v. i. To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches. Source: opted

7. v. i. To take hold; to grip, as a dog does. Source: opted

8. v. i. To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous. Source: opted

9. n. A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip. Source: opted

10. n. As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff. Source: opted

11. n. Pian; pang. Source: opted

12. n. A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar. Source: opted

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