clench

 
Pronunciation: /klɛn(t)ʃ/

verb

  • (with reference to the fingers or hand) close into a tight ball, especially as a manifestation of extreme anger: [with object]: she clenched her fists, struggling for control [no object]: Ian’s right hand clenched into a fist (as adjective clenched) he struck the wall with his clenched fist
  • (with reference to the teeth) press or be pressed tightly together, especially with anger or determination or so as to suppress a strong emotion: he clenched his teeth, fighting waves of nausea
  • [with object] grasp (something) tightly and firmly: he clenched the steering wheel so hard that the car wobbled
  • [no object] (of a muscular part of the body) tighten or contract sharply, especially with strong emotion: Mark felt his stomach clench in alarm

noun

[in singular]
  • a contraction or tightening of part of the body: she saw the anger rise, saw the clench of his fists

Origin:

Old English (in the sense of clinch 'fix securely'): of Germanic origin; related to cling