pinch

Noun

• the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a criminal)
  • the policeman on the beat got credit for the collar
    

• a squeeze with the fingers

• a small sharp bite or snip

• a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
  • he never knew what to do in an emergency
    

• a slight but appreciable amount
  • this dish could use a touch of garlic
    

• an injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed

• a painful or straitened circumstance
  • the pinch of the recession
    

Verb

• 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
    

• cut the top off
  • top trees and bushes
    

• make off with belongings of others

• make ridges into by pinching together

• squeeze tightly between the fingers
  • He pinched her behind
    
  • She squeezed the bottle
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  apprehension , arrest , catch , collar , taking into custody , tweak , nip , emergency , exigency , touch , hint , tinge , mite , jot , speck , soupcon , vellicate , top , crimp , squeeze , twinge , tweet , twitch