[pɪn(t)ʃ], (Verb)

Definitions:
- grip (something, typically a person's flesh) tightly and sharply between finger and thumb
(e.g: she pinched his cheek)

- move one's finger and thumb apart or bring them together on (a touchscreen) in order to zoom into or out of an image, activate a function, etc.
(e.g: to explore in more detail just pinch the screen)

- steal or take without permission
(e.g: he pinched a handful of sweets)

- live in a frugal way
(e.g: if I scraped and pinched a bit, I might manage)

- sail (a boat) so close to the wind that the sails begin to lose power


Phrases:
- at a pinch
- feel the pinch
- pinch oneself

Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): from an Old Northern French variant of Old French pincier ‘to pinch’

[pɪn(t)ʃ], (Noun)

Definitions:
- an act of pinching someone
(e.g: he gave her a gentle pinch)

- a critical point in the game


Phrases:
- at a pinch
- feel the pinch
- pinch oneself

Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): from an Old Northern French variant of Old French pincier ‘to pinch’