Main Entry:

pin·cer

Pronunciation:

\ˈpin(t)-sər, especially for 1 US often ˈpin-chər\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English pinceour, from Anglo-French *pinceour, pinchure, from Anglo-French *pincher, pincer to pinch, from Vulgar Latin *pinctiare, *punctiare, from Latin punctum puncture — more at point

Date:

14th century

1plural a: an instrument having two short handles and two grasping jaws working on a pivot and used for gripping things b: a claw (as of a lobster) resembling a pair of pincers : chela2: pincer movement

— pin·cer·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective