Link Centre Dictionary

clench

UK/klɛnt͡ʃ/ US/ˈklɛntʃ/ uncommon dated obsolete
verb (2) noun (2)

verb

1.

hold in a tight grasp

  • “clench a steering wheel”
Synonyms
2.

squeeze together tightly

  • “clench one”

noun

1.

a small slip noose made with seizing

Synonyms
2.

the act of grasping

  • “he released his clasp on my arm”
  • “he has a strong grip for an old man”
  • “she kept a firm hold on the railing”
Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English clenchen, from Old English clenċan (“to clinch; hold fast”), a variant of Old English clenġan (“to adhere; remain”), from Proto-Germanic *klangijaną, causative of *klinganą (“to stick; adhere”). Related to cling.

Phrases

  • clench one's fists

Related words

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.