noun.
In mining, a partial caving in or compression of the walls of a vein of ore or of a coal-bed, sufficient to disturb the ore or coal-bed. Sometimes called a pinch-out.
noun.
The pressure exerted by the finger and thumb when brought together forcibly upon something, or any similar pressure; a nip: as, to give one a pinch on the arm.
noun.
As much of anything as can be lifted between the finger and thumb; hence, a very small quantity: as, a pinch of snuff; a pinch of salt.
noun.
A gripe; a pang.
noun.
Pressure; oppression; difficulty; need.
noun.
A pinch-bar.
To compress between the finger and thumb, or between the teeth, or the claws, or with pincers or some similar instrument; squeeze or nip between two hard opposing bodies; nip; squeeze: as, to pinch one's self to keep awake.
To squeeze or press painfully upon: as, his shoes pinch his feet.
To seize or grip and bite: said of an animal.
To find fault with.
To plait.
To straiten; distress; afflict: as, to be pinched for food; pinched with poverty.
To narrow, contract, or nip, as by cold or want or trouble: as, pinched features; a mind narrow and pinched.
To move with a pinch or crowbar: as, to pinch a gun into position.
To exert a compressing or nipping pressure or force; bear hard: as, that is where the shoe pinches.
To lay hold; bite or snap, as a dog.
To snarl; carp; find fault.
To be sparing, parsimonious, or niggardly.
To encroach.
To arrest (an offender).
To steal.
Nautical, to sail (a vessel) as close to the wind as she can be brought without spilling the wind out of the sails, that is, without luffing her. A sailing-vessel is said to be starved for wind when she is pinched hard.
To compress or be squeezed out, as mineral ore from between rock strata.