pinch

/pˈɪntʃ/ · 1 syllable

Meaning

verb

squeeze tightly between the fingers
“He pinched her behind”
make ridges into by pinching together
make off with belongings of others
cut the top off
“top trees and bushes”
irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear
“smooth surfaces can vellicate the teeth”

noun

a painful or straitened circumstance
“the pinch of the recession”
an injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed
a slight but appreciable amount
“this dish could use a touch of garlic”
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
“he never knew what to do in an emergency”
a small sharp bite or snip
a squeeze with the fingers
the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
“the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar”

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