Pinch \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. --Gower. The wretch whom avarice bids to pinch and spare. --Franklin. {To pinch at}, to find fault with; to take exception to. [Obs.] --Chaucer.