PINCH, v.t. 1. To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, the teeth, claws, or with an instrument, &c.2. To squeeze or compress between any two hard bodies.3. To squeeze the flesh till it is pained or livid.4. To gripe; to straiten; to oppress with want; as, to pinch a nation; to pinch the belly; to be pinched for want of food.5. To pain by constriction; to distress; as pinching cold. The winter pinches.6. To press; to straiten by difficulties; as,the argument pinches the objector. The respondent is pinched with a strong objection.7. To press hard; to try thoroughly.PINCH, v.i. To act with pressing force; to bear hard; to be puzzling. You see where the reasons pinch. 1. To spare; to be straitened; to be covetous. The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare, Starve, steal and pilfer to enrich an heir.PINCH, n. A close compression with the ends of the fingers. 1. A gripe; a pang.2. Distress inflected or suffered; pressure; oppression; as necessity's sharp pinch.3. Straits; difficulty; time of distress from want.
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