pincer
Lobster's gripping appendage
A pincer is one of a pair of grasping claws on crustaceans and some insects—lobsters, crabs, scorpions.
The plural pincers denotes a gripping tool with two pivoting jaws, used to pull nails or grip objects.
In military strategy, a pincer movement attacks an enemy from two sides simultaneously, squeezing like the tool: The army executed a pincer maneuver to surround the retreating forces.
Curved animal nail
- chelaPincer-like claw
- nipperClaw or small child
- mandibleLower facial bone
- appendageProjecting body part
segment · joint · tip · grip · crusher · cutter · dactyl · propodus
Hinged metal gripping tool
- tongsHinged grasping utensil
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
- tweezersPincerlike gripping instrument
- nippersGripping or cutting implements
grippers · clamp · vice · crimper · snips · extractors · hemostat · surgical
Surrounding enemy forces completely
- flankingAt the sides of
- envelopmentAct of surrounding completely
- convergeMeet at a point
- surroundEnclose on every side
outflanking · squeeze · trap · ambush · coordinated attack · blitzkrieg · maneuver · strategy
Pincer-bearing shellfish
- lobsterLarge marine shellfish
- crawfishSmall freshwater lobster relative
- scorpionStinging arachnid with pincers
- earwigPincered nocturnal insect
crayfish · fiddler crab · king crab · hermit crab · stone crab · blue crab · langoustine · prawn
claw
Curved animal nail
appendage · segment · joint · tip · grip · crusher · cutter · dactyl · propodus · carpus
pliers
Hinged metal gripping tool
- tongsHinged grasping utensil
- forcepsMedical grasping instrument
- tweezersPincerlike gripping instrument
nippers · grippers · clamp · vice · crimper · snips · extractors · hemostat · surgical · precision
encirclement
Surrounding enemy forces completely
- flankingAt the sides of
- envelopmentAct of surrounding completely
- convergeMeet at a point
surround · outflanking · squeeze · trap · ambush · coordinated attack · blitzkrieg · maneuver · strategy · offensive
crab
Pincer-bearing shellfish
- lobsterLarge marine shellfish
- crawfishSmall freshwater lobster relative
- scorpionStinging arachnid with pincers
earwig · crayfish · fiddler crab · king crab · hermit crab · stone crab · blue crab · langoustine · prawn · decapod
pincertentacle
Flexible grasping appendage
sucker · suction cup · tendril · adhesive pad · tongue
pincerfrontal assault
Attack from the front
direct attack · defensive formation · retreat · holding action · withdrawal
- in a pinchWhen circumstances force compromise
- pinch of saltMinimal amount of seasoning
- penny pincherExcessively frugal person
- pinch penniesSpend as little as possible
- feeling the pinchExperiencing financial strain
- pinching penniesObsessive spending restraint
pinch, pinched, pinching, pinches, pincers, pincher, pincered, pincer movement