clench
[ klench ]
/ klɛntʃ /
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
to close or knot up tightly: His hands clenched as he faced his enemy.
noun
Origin of clench
1200–50; Middle English
clenchen; compare Old English
beclencan hold fast
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH clench
clench clinchWords nearby clench
clement xiv,
clemente,
clementi,
clementine,
clementines,
clench,
clenched fist sign,
clendinnen,
cleo,
cleobulus,
cleoid
Example sentences from the Web for clench
British Dictionary definitions for clench
clench
/ (klɛntʃ) /
verb (tr)
to close or squeeze together (the teeth, a fist, etc) tightly
to grasp or grip firmly
noun
a firm grasp or grip
a device that grasps or grips, such as a clamp
noun, verb
another word for clinch
Word Origin for clench
Old English
beclencan, related to Old High German
klenken to tie, Middle High German
klank noose, Dutch
klinken rivet