clench: Meaning and Definition of

clench

Pronunciation: (klench), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to close (the hands, teeth, etc.) tightly.
  2. to grasp firmly; grip.
  3. clinch (def. 1).
  4. clinch (defs. 2–4).
—v.i.
  1. to close or knot up tightly: His hands clenched as he faced his enemy.
—n.
  1. the act of clenching.
  2. a tight hold; grip.
  3. something that clenches or holds fast.
  4. clinch (defs. 9, 11, 12).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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