Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLINCH, v.t. [D. klinken, to clink or rivet; klink, a latch, a rivet; Dan. klinke, a latch; Sw. klinka; Fr. clenche; allied to cling, link, W. clicied, a latch.]

1. To gripe with the hand; to make fast by bending over, folding, or embracing closely. Thus, to clinch a nail, is to bend the point and drive it closely. To clinch the hand or fist, is to contract the fingers closely into the palm of the hand. To clinch an instrument, is to close the fingers and thumb round it, and hold it fast.
2. To fix or fasten; to make firm; as, to clinch an argument.