1. (v. t.) To press hard or squeeze between the ends of the fingers, between teeth or claws, or between the jaws of an instrument; to squeeze or compress, as between any two hard bodies.

2. (v. t.) o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals.

3. (v. t.) To plait.

4. (v. t.) Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.

5. (v. t.) To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.

6. (v. i.) To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.

7. (v. i.) To take hold; to grip, as a dog does.

8. (v. i.) To spare; to be covetous.

9. (n.) A close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.

10. (n.) As much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.

11. (n.) Pain; pang.

12. (n.) A lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. Called also pinch bar.

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