Definition of 'pinch'

Noun

1. a painful or straitened circumstance; "the pinch of the recession"
2. an injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed
3. a slight but appreciable addition; "this dish could use a touch of garlic"
      Synonyms: touch hint tinge mite jot speck soupcon
4. a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; "he never knew what to do in an emergency"
      Synonyms: emergency exigency
5. a small sharp bite or snip
      Synonyms: nip
6. a squeeze with the fingers
      Synonyms: tweak
7. the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar"
      Synonyms: apprehension arrest catch collar taking into custody

Verb

1. squeeze tightly between the fingers; "He pinched her behind"; "She squeezed the bottle"
      Synonyms: squeeze twinge tweet nip twitch
2. make ridges into by pinching together
      Synonyms: crimp
3. make off with belongings of others
      Synonyms: pilfer cabbage purloin abstract snarf swipe hook sneak filch nobble lift
4. cut the top off; "top trees and bushes"
      Synonyms: top
5. irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear; "smooth surfaces can vellicate the teeth"; "the pain is as if sharp points pinch your back"
      Synonyms: vellicate

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