Pinch, v. i.
1. To act with pressing force; to compress; to squeeze; as, the shoe pinches.
2. Hunt. To take hold; to grip, as a dog does. [Obs.]
3. To spare; to be niggardly; to be covetous.
The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare. --Franklin.
To pinch at, to find fault with; to take exception to. [Obs.]
--Chaucer.