Clinch (kl&ibreve_;nch; 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.
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2. To set closely together; to close tightly; as, to clinch the teeth or the first. Swift.
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3. To bend or turn over the point of (something that has been driven through an object), so that it will hold fast; as, to clinch a nail.
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4. To make conclusive; to confirm; to establish; as, to clinch an argument. South.
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Clinch (kl&ibreve_;nch), 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.
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2. A pun. Pope.
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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.
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