pincers

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“
Grant waited for the approach of spring, when, with the advance northwards of the army at Savannah, the pincers could be applied to Lee, to end, it was hoped, in writing finis to the war From December 20, 1864, to February 1, 1865, Sherman remained in Savannah, renewing by sea the strength of his army.

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Definitions (11)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. plural noun A grasping tool having a pair of jaws and handles pivoted together to work in opposition.
  2. plural noun The articulated prehensile claws of certain arthropods, such as the lobster.

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Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (1)

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Examples (50)

  • Now he possessed several pairs of pincers, among which was one both big and heavy. —  The Autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini
  • Each was girt with about five hundred legs and a single set of pincers, and each had a taste for fresh meat. —  The Source of Magic
  • From this vantage the pincers were circular; a nickelpede normally clamped onto its target with a few hundred legs and scooped inward to cut away a shallow disk of flesh. —  The Source of Magic
  • Even as Doc sighted the group, the pincers were employed to yank another nail off one of Thunden's fingers Thunden moaned, writhed. —  019 - Fear Cay
  • Death by the gallows and hot pincers is the usual doom of Traitors; but his Majesty will say in this case, Death by the sword and headsman simply; certain circumstances moving the royal clemency to go so far, no farther. —  History of Friedrich II of Prussia
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English pinsours, from Old French pinceure, from Old French pincier, to pinch; see pinch.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Formerly also pinsers; from Middle English pynsour, from Old French pinçoir, pençoir (applied to a kind of pincers used as a book-mark, and to a contrivance with iron stakes used in catching fish), from pincer, pinch: see pinch.
 

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/ˈpɪnsərz/
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