▪ I. clinching, vbl. n.
(ˈklɪnʃɪŋ)
[f. clinch v.1 + -ing1.]
a. The action of the verb clinch in various senses. Cf. clenching.
| 1631 R. Brathwait Whimzies Ep. Ded. 8 Clinchings likewise were held nimble flashes. a 1714 T. Ellwood Autobiog. 22 Like the Clinching of a nail. 1871 Farrar Witn. Hist. ii. 65 note, The..clinching of all controversy. |
b. spec. in Boxing (see clinch v.1 2 e).
| 1863 in H. D. Miles Pugilistica (1881) III. 518/1 The leading characteristics of which [contest] were ‘clinching’, rushing, squeezing. 1899 [see clinch v.1 2 e]. 1923 Tosswill Boxing Up-to-date 58 No beginner should deliberately cultivate the habit of clinching. |
▪ II. ˈclinching, ppl. a.
That clinches.
| 1567 Turberv. Poems, To his Love (R.), With clinching clawes..and talents sharplie set. 1725 Pope Odyss. xv. 180 A milkwhite fowl his clinching talons bore. 1873–4 Dixon Two Queens x. i, Isabel meant it as a clinching bribe. |
Hence clinching-iron = clincher 3.
| 1874 in Knight Dict. Mech. I. 567. |