pincher
pincher Lexical Profile
pincher Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A front claw or chela of a crustacean or arachnid, such as a crab, lobster, or scorpion, used for seizing or gripping; an informal variant of pincer.
"The crab raised its large front pinchers defensively as we walked past it on the beach."
A person or thing that pinches.
"The toddler went through a brief phase as a pincher at daycare before learning gentle hands."
A gripping tool having two pivoted jaws used for holding or pulling things (usually used in the plural).
"The blacksmith used a heavy pair of iron pinchers to pull the nail from the timber."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the claw of a crustacean or a gripping tool, 'pincher' is a common informal variant of the standard word 'pincer'. It should also be distinguished from the dog breed 'pinscher' (as in Doberman Pinscher).