Pincer
/ˈpɪnsəɹ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Any object that resembles one half of a pair of pincers.
- 2 a grasping structure on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods wordnet
- 3 a hand tool for holding consisting of a compound lever for grasping wordnet
Verb
- 1 To surround with a pincer attack. figuratively, sometimes, transitive
"After considering all frontal counteroffensive alternatives, Heublein rejected them as detrimental to its profits and came up with a brilliant pincering maneuver. It raised the price of Smirnoff by one dollar, effectively preventing segment diffusion, […]"
Example
More examples"If we hang around here any longer, there could be reinforcements coming from the second gate to take us in a pincer movement!"
Etymology
From Middle English pynsor, from Old French pinceure, pinchure, from pincier (“to pinch”).