What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Latch vs Clinch - What's the difference?

latch | clinch | Related terms |

In obsolete terms the difference between latch and clinch

is that latch is to smear; to anoint while clinch is a pun.

As nouns the difference between latch and clinch

is that latch is a fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side while clinch is any of several fastenings.

As verbs the difference between latch and clinch

is that latch is to close or lock as if with a latch while clinch is to clasp; to interlock.

latch

English

(wikipedia latch)

Etymology 1

(etyl) .

Noun

(es)
  • A fastening for a door that has a bar that fits into a notch or slot, and is lifted by a lever or string from either side.
  • * 1912 : (Edgar Rice Burroughs), (Tarzan of the Apes), Chapter 4
  • The cleverly constructed latch which Clayton had made for the door had sprung as Kerchak passed out; nor could the apes find means of ingress through the heavily barred windows.
  • A flip-flop electronic circuit
  • (obsolete) A latching.
  • (obsolete) A crossbow.
  • (obsolete) That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare.
  • Derived terms
    * on the latch

    Verb

    (es)
  • To close or lock as if with a latch
  • To catch; lay hold of
  • :* Where hearing should not latch them. — Shakespeare, MacBeth , Act IV
  • Derived terms
    * latch on * latch on to * latch onto

    Etymology 2

    Compare (etyl) .

    Verb

    (es)
  • (obsolete) To smear; to anoint.
  • (Shakespeare)

    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