pincers

From Middle English pynsours, from Old French pinceure, pinchure, from pincier (“to pinch”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈpɪnsəɹz/

pincers

1. plural of pincer

pincers pl (plural only)

1. A gripping tool, pivoted like a pair of scissors, but with blunt jaws.
   • 1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 107:

     Milk formed their chief diet, and this they were supposed to imbibe from the witch herself, from a third "teat" which had been made beneath the arm by a nip from the Devil's pincers.

2. The front claws of crustaceans such as lobsters.

• forceps
• chelae, claws, nippers
• pair of pincers
• pinchers

• tongs

• Crespin, Princes, crispen, princes