to pinch at

1 definition found

to pinch at - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Pinch \Pinch\, v. i.
     1. To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as,
        the shoe pinches.
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     2. (Hunt.) To take hold; to grip, as a dog does. [Obs.]
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     3. To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous. --Gower.
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              The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare.
                                                    --Franklin.
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     To pinch at, to find fault with; to take exception to.
        [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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