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Clinch vs Cling - What's the difference?

clinch | cling |

As verbs the difference between clinch and cling

is that clinch is to clasp; to interlock while cling is (hold tightly)To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.

As nouns the difference between clinch and cling

is that clinch is any of several fastenings while cling is fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.

clinch

English

Verb

(es)
  • To clasp; to interlock.
  • To make certain; to finalize.
  • I already planned to buy the car, but the color was what really clinched it for me.
  • *{{quote-news
  • , year=2011 , date=October 29 , author=Neil Johnston , title=Norwich 3 - 3 Blackburn , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=Vincent Kompany was sent off after conceding a penalty that was converted by Stephen Hunt to give Wolves hope. But Adam Johnson's curling shot in stoppage time clinched the points.}}
  • To fasten securely or permanently.
  • To bend and hammer the point of (a nail) so it cannot be removed.
  • To embrace passionately.
  • To hold firmly; to clench.
  • * Dryden
  • Clinch the pointed spear.
  • To set closely together; to close tightly.
  • to clinch the teeth or the fist
    (Jonathan Swift)

    Noun

    (es)
  • Any of several fastenings.
  • The act or process of holding fast; that which serves to hold fast; a grip or grasp.
  • to get a good clinch of an antagonist, or of a weapon
    to secure anything by a clinch
  • (obsolete) A pun.
  • (Alexander Pope)
  • (nautical) A hitch or bend by which a rope is made fast to the ring of an anchor, or the breeching of a ship's gun to the ringbolts.
  • A passionate embrace.
  • See also

    * (wikipedia "clinch") * clench * clincher * clinch nut

    cling

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Fruit (especially peach) whose flesh adheres strongly to the pit.
  • * 1908 , , Hostages to Momus :
  • Antelope steaks and fried liver to begin on, and venison cutlets with chili con carne and pineapple fritters, and then some sardines and mixed pickles; and top it off with a can of yellow clings and a bottle of beer.
  • adherence; attachment; devotion
  • * Milton
  • A more tenacious cling to worldly respects.

    Verb

  • (senseid)To hold very tightly, as to not fall off.
  • Seaweed clung to the anchor.
  • * Mrs. Hemans
  • And what hath life for thee / That thou shouldst cling to it thus?
  • To adhere to an object, without being affixed, in such a way as to follow its contours. Used especially of fabrics and films.
  • To cause to adhere to, especially by twining round or embracing.
  • * Jonathan Swift
  • I clung legs as close to his side as I could.
  • To cause to dry up or wither.
  • * Shakespeare
  • If thou speak'st false, / Upon the next tree shalt thou hang alive, / Till famine cling thee.
  • (figurative, with preposition to) to be fond of, to feel strongly about
  • Derived terms

    * cling film / clingfilm

    References

    * * * Notes: English irregular verbs