▪ I. clenching, vbl. n.
(ˈklɛnʃɪŋ)
The action of the vb. clench in various senses.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 80 Clenchynge, retuncio, repancio. 1611 Cotgr., Rivement, a riueting or clenching. 1712 Orator Henley Spect. No. 396 ¶2 The Monopoly of Punns..The late Invasion..by a little Pretender to Clenching in a neighbouring College. c 1850 Rudim. Navig. (Weale) 107 Clinching or Clenching, spreading the point of a bolt upon a ring..in order to prevent its drawing. 1880 Kinglake Crimea VI. ix. 228 That simple clenching of victory..commonly effected by a pursuit of the beaten troops. |
▪ II. ˈclenching, ppl. a.
That clenches.
| 1791 E. Darwin Bot. Gard. ii. 80 And opes his clenching hands. 1833 Mrs. Browning Prometh. Bound Poems 1850 I. 142 The clenching tooth. 1865 Dickens Mut. Fr. ii. xi, The clenching palm of his left hand. |