pincer

== English == === Alternative forms === pincher (dated or eggcorn) === Etymology === From Middle English pynsor, from Old French pinceure, pinchure, from pincier (“to pinch”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈpɪnsəɹ/ Rhymes: -ɪnsə(ɹ) === Noun === pincer (plural pincers) Any object that resembles one half of a pair of pincers. ==== Derived terms ==== === Verb === pincer (third-person singular simple present pincers, present participle pincering, simple past and past participle pincered) (transitive, sometimes figurative) To surround with a pincer attack. === Anagrams === Prince, prince == French == === Etymology === Inherited from Old French pincier, pincer (“to pinch”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /pɛ̃.se/ === Verb === pincer to pinch (skin) (informal) to pinch (to arrest) (music) to pluck (a stringed instrument) (colloquial) to fancy ==== Conjugation ==== This verb is part of a group of -er verbs for which 'c' is softened to a 'ç' before the vowels 'a' and 'o'. ==== Derived terms ==== en pincer === Further reading === “pincer”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 === Anagrams === prince == Old French == === Etymology === From Vulgar Latin *pinciāre (“to puncture, pinch”). === Verb === pincer to pinch ==== Conjugation ==== This verb conjugates as a first-group verb ending in -er. The forms that would normally end in *-c, *-cs, *-ct are modified to z, z, zt. In addition, c becomes ç before an a, o or u to keep the /ts/ sound intact. Old French conjugation varies significantly by date and by region. The following conjugation should be treated as a guide. ==== Descendants ==== Middle French: pincier, pincer French: pincer → Bavarian: pfitzen → Dutch: pinsen, pitsen Norman: pînchi → Middle English: pinchen English: pinch === Further reading === “pincer”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012