pincer C1 Topic:Word Formation & Derivatives US /ˈpɪnsɚ/ UK /ˈpɪnsə/ See IPA manual Freq #48056 Meanings 1 noun one of a pair of curved claws or jaws used by an arthropod to grasp or cut The crab raised one pincer toward the intruder. 2 noun a gripping jaw or part of a tool or mechanical device The robotic pincer lifted the delicate component. 3 noun in military strategy, an attack from two sides that closes around an opponent The commander attempted a pincer movement around the city. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 noun · one of a pair of curved... clawchela 2 noun · a gripping jaw or part of a... gripperclaw 3 noun · in military strategy, an... encirclement Word family Forms pincers Related forms pinch Etymology From Middle English pynsor, through Old French pinceure or pinchure, from pincier 'to pinch.' The military sense comes from the image of two closing claws. Topics Word Formation & Derivatives General Vocabulary External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # pincer **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** noun **IPA (US):** /ˈpɪnsɚ/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈpɪnsə/ **Frequency rank:** 48056 ## Meanings 1. one of a pair of curved claws or jaws used by an arthropod to grasp or cut 2. a gripping jaw or part of a tool or mechanical device 3. in military strategy, an attack from two sides that closes around an opponent ## Examples - The crab raised one pincer toward the intruder. - The robotic pincer lifted the delicate component. - The commander attempted a pincer movement around the city. ## Synonyms - claw - chela - gripper ## Related Forms - pinch ## Etymology From Middle English pynsor, through Old French pinceure or pinchure, from pincier 'to pinch.' The military sense comes from the image of two closing claws. ## Topics - Word Formation & Derivatives - General Vocabulary markdown