vise

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a tool with two jaws that close to hold an object firmly while it is being worked on

   The carpenter tightened the vise before filing the metal bracket.

2. 2
   noun

   a powerful, restricting grip or pressure

   Fear held his chest in a vise.

3. 3
   verb

   to grip, press, or hold as firmly as a vise

   She vised the pipe between the padded jaws of the tool.

From Middle English vis, through Anglo-Norman and Old French vis ("screw"), from Latin vitis ("vine"), probably after the twisting form of a vine tendril. Vise is the usual American spelling for the clamping tool; British English generally uses vice.

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