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clench

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To clench is to grasp something tightly, or to press something tightly together such as your teeth or your fist into a tight ball.

(verb)

When you press your teeth tightly together in anger, this is an example of a time where you clench your teeth.
When you close your fist tightly into a ball, this is an example of a time when you clench your fist.
When you hold on very tightly to a ball, this is an example of a time when you clench the ball.

The definition of a clench is a firm grip.

(noun)

When you are angry and put your fists together into a tight ball, this is an example of a clench.

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See clench in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

clinch (vt. 1)
to bring together tightly; close (the teeth or fist) firmly
to grip tightly

Origin: ME clenchen < OE -clencan (in beclencan), lit., to make cling, caus. of clingan: see cling

noun

a firm grip
a device that clenches

Related Forms:

clencher noun

See clench in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb clenched, clench·ing, clench·es

To close tightly: clench one's teeth; clenched my fists in anger.
To grasp or grip tightly: clenched the steering wheel.
To clinch (a bolt, for example).
Nautical To fasten with a clinch.

noun

A tight grip or grasp.
Something, such as a mechanical device, that clenches or holds fast.
Nautical See clinch.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English clenchen

Origin: , from Old English beclencan

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