Definition of pinch

• v. t. - To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two hard bodies.
• v. t. - o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals.
• v. t. - To plait.
• v. t. - Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.
• v. t. - To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.
• v. i. - To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.
• v. i. - To take hold; to grip, as a dog does.
• v. i. - To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous.
• n. - A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.
• n. - As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.
• n. - Pian; pang.
• n. - A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar.