Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun One who clenches, or that which is used for clenching, as a cramp or piece of iron bent down to fasten anything.
- noun A tool used for clenching or bending over the point of a nail, to prevent its withdrawal.
- noun A retort or reply so decisive as to close a controversy; an unanswerable argument: as, the bishop's letter is a clencher.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word clencher.
Examples
-
The real clencher is whether the characters/story ring true.
pushing the limits 2007
-
The clencher was the store clerk's reference to the year of the dragon.
-
This is so late, but I have to tell you as a fellow teeth-clencher -- do wear your bite guard at night.
I don't care that he's a Scientologist. Angry Professor 2009
-
Apparently the idea arose after having a few drinks with Jimbo Wales, which is the clencher for a good social web story.
-
So the Democrats are saying they think that they are -- they don't think that John McCain's presence or Obama's presence will be the significant deal-clencher.
-
Evidently I'm a grinder or a clencher, or something of that order.
A Side Trip to the Dentist jimvanpelt 2007
-
Now here is the clencher -- or it would seem to be.
-
To-morrow we make an important revelation concerning the character of Clayton, and we want to follow it up the morning after by a cartoon that will be a stunner, a clencher.
-
He would wind up a peroration by dashing his nightcap passionately against the wall, by way of clencher to the argument.
Diderot and the Encyclopaedists Morley, John, 1838-1923 1905
-
He would wind up a peroration by dashing his nightcap passionately against the wall, by way of clencher to the argument.
Diderot and the Encyclopædists (Vol 1 of 2) John Morley 1880
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.