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 clinch

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