Pinch (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Pinched (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Pinching.] [F. pincer, probably fr. OD. pitsen to pinch; akin to G. pfetzen to cut, pinch; perhaps of Celtic origin. Cf. Piece.] 1. 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. o seize; to grip; to bite; — said of animals.
He pinched and pulled her down. Chapman.
3. To plait.
Full seemly her wimple ipinched was. Chaucer.
4. Figuratively: To cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.
Want of room... pinching a whole nation. Sir W. Raleigh.
5. To move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. See Pinch, n., 4.