pinch

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Even for pros, a small flash in a pinch is a welcome option.

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Definitions (69)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (20)

  1. transitive verb To squeeze between the thumb and a finger, the jaws of a tool, or other edges.
  2. transitive verb To squeeze or bind (a part of the body) in a way that causes discomfort or pain: These shoes pinch my toes.
  3. transitive verb To nip, wither, or shrivel: buds that were pinched by the frost; a face that was pinched with grief.
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Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (34)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (3)

Toggle WordNet definitions WordNet (12)

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Examples (50)

  • Obviously, Mexico soon will lose its ability to export oil, and as that occurs, America is going to feel more than pinch -- more like a two-by-four upside the head. —  Маркетинг В Маленьком Городе
  • Having a list of low carb foods you can use in a pinch is essential for any low carb dieter's success. —  Find Free Articles - ArticlesBase
  • Perhaps the pinch has been seen the most in the real estate related industries. —  Charlottesville Blogs
  • Everyone feels the pinch, as even her children are briefed that many of their favourites have to be cut from the grocery list.
  • They have everything I could think of, and at a pinch ought to be able to hold out for three months I don't think the pinch will come, Bracy.--Ah, they are getting close in Yes," said the lieutenant, shading his eyes. —  Syd Belton The Boy who would not go to Sea
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This word has been looked up 126 times.

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Related

Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

teaspoonful ·  ounce ·  nutmeg ·  saltspoonful ·  teacupful ·  pepper ·  vinegar ·  pint ·  squeeze ·  cayenne ·  mace ·  oz

Used in the same contextWord Family

pinch:   pinches ·  pinching ·  pinched
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. Middle English pinchen, from Old North French *pinchier, variant of Old French pincier, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *pīnctiāre.

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. from Middle English pinchen, pynchen, pinch, nip, find fault with, from Old French pincer, French pincer, pinch, = Spanish pinchar, prick; cf. Italian picciare, picchiare, pinch, peck with a beak (piccio, picchio, a beak), now pizzare. pinch, also extended pizzicare = Spanish pizcar, nip, pinch; cf. also Middle Dutch pitsen, German dial. (Bavarian) pfitzen, pfetzen, pinch; Italian pinzo, a sting, goad. The relations of these forms are undetermined, and the ult. origin unknown.
  2. from pinch, v.
 

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/pɪntʃ/
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