pincers

[ pin-serz ]

noun

, (usually used with a plural verb)

1. a gripping tool consisting of two pivoted limbs forming a pair of jaws and a pair of handles (usually used with pair of ).
2. Zoology. a grasping organ or pair of organs resembling this, as the claw of a lobster.

pincers

/ ˈpɪnsəz /

plural noun

1. Also calledpair of pincers a gripping tool consisting of two hinged arms with handles at one end and, at the other, curved bevelled jaws that close on the workpiece: used esp for extracting nails
2. the pair or pairs of jointed grasping appendages in lobsters and certain other arthropods

pincers

/ pĭn′sərz /

1. A jointed grasping claw of certain animals, such as lobsters and scorpions.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pincers¹

1300–50; Middle English pinsers, earlier pynceours, plural of *pinceour < Anglo-French pince ( r ) to pinch + -our -or ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of pincers¹

C14: from Old French pinceour, from Old French pincier to pinch

Example Sentences

Troops advanced in a pincers movement, attacking from the southwest and northeast, reaching at times the two roads.

From New York Times

As Russian pincers were closing on the city, a presidential aide warned last week that the military could “strategically pull back” if needed.

From Seattle Times

They return with pincers gripping dead young ants to feed the settlement.

From New York Times

I pressed my sleeve against my cut cheek until the throbbing pain spread like red-hot pincers, twisting into the flesh and burrowing deeper.

From Literature

Mr. Gorbachev soon found himself caught between the pincers of established glasnost and delayed perestroika.

From New York Times