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.-o seize; to grip; to bite; -- said of animals.-to plait.-figuratively: to cramp; to straiten; to oppress; to starve; to distress; as, to be pinched for money.-to move, as a railroad car, by prying the wheels with a pinch. see pinch, n., 4.-to act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.-to take hold; to grip, as a dog does.-to spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous.-a close compression, as with the ends of the fingers, or with an instrument; a nip.-as much as may be taken between the finger and thumb; any very small quantity; as, a pinch of snuff.-pian; pang.-a lever having a projection at one end, acting as a fulcrum, -- used chiefly to roll heavy wheels, etc. called also pinch bar.