1. Hold in a tight grasp
   "clinch a steering wheel";
   - clench
    
2. Secure or fasten by flattening the ends of nails or bolts
   "The girder was clinched into the wall"
    
3. Hold a boxing opponent with one or both arms so as to prevent punches
   "The tired boxer clinched his opponent to avoid more hits"
    
4. Embrace amorously
   "The couple clinched passionately in the moonlight"
    
5. Flatten the ends (of nails and rivets)
   "the nails were clinched"
    
6. Settle conclusively
   "clinch a deal"

1. A tight or amorous embrace
   "The lovers met in a passionate clinch";
   - hug, squeeze
    
2. (combat sports) a close hold between opponents used to rest or prevent strikes
   "The referee separated the fighters from their clinch"
    
3. A small slip noose made with seizing
   "The sailor demonstrated how to tie a clinch knot for securing fishing lines";
   - clench
    
4. The flattened part of a nail, bolt or rivet
   "The carpenter checked the clinch on each nail to ensure a secure hold"
    
5. A device (generally used by carpenters) that holds things firmly together
   "He used a clinch to hold the pieces of wood together while the glue dried";
   - clamp

Derived forms: clinched, clinching, clinches

Type of: bosom, clutch, determine, embrace, embracement, embracing, evasive action, fasten, fastener, fastening, fix, fixing, holdfast, holding device, hug, maneuver [US], manoeuvre [Brit, Cdn], noose, prehend [archaic], running noose, secure, seize, settle, slip noose, square off, square up, squeeze, take hold, take hold of

Part of: bolt, nail, rivet

Encyclopedia: Clinch, Patrick