pinch
     n 1: a painful or straitened circumstance; "the pinch of the
          recession"
     2: an injury resulting from getting some body part squeezed
     3: a slight but appreciable addition; "this dish could use a
        touch of garlic" [syn: {touch}, {hint}, {tinge}, {mite}, {jot},
         {speck}, {soupcon}]
     4: a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that
        requires immediate action; "he never knew what to do in an
        emergency" [syn: {emergency}, {exigency}]
     5: small sharp biting [syn: {nip}]
     6: a squeeze with the fingers [syn: {tweak}]
     7: the act of apprehending (especially apprehending a
        criminal); "the policeman on the beat got credit for the
        collar" [syn: {apprehension}, {arrest}, {catch}, {collar},
         {taking into custody}]
     v 1: squeeze tightly between the fingers; "He pinched her
          behind"; "She squeezed the bottle" [syn: {squeeze}, {twinge},
           {tweet}, {nip}, {twitch}]
     2: make ridges into by pinching together [syn: {crimp}]
     3: make off with belongings of others [syn: {pilfer}, {cabbage},
         {purloin}, {abstract}, {snarf}, {swipe}, {hook}, {sneak},
         {filch}, {nobble}, {lift}]
     4: cut the top off; "top trees and bushes" [syn: {top}]
     5: irritate as if by a nip, pinch, or tear; "smooth surfaces
        can vellicate the teeth"; "the pain is as if sharp points
        pinch your back" [syn: {vellicate}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0