(with reference to the fingers or hand) close into a tight ball, especially when feeling extreme anger (手,手指)紧握成拳(尤以表示愤怒) [with obj.]she clenched her fists, struggling for control. 她紧握双拳,努力控制情绪。 [no obj.]Ian's right hand clenched into a fist. 伊恩右手紧握成拳。 [as adj. clenched]he struck the wall with his clenched fist. 他用握紧的拳头击打墙壁。 ■(with reference to the teeth) press or be pressed tightly together, especially with anger or determination or so as to suppress a strong emotion (牙)(尤指愤怒,下定决心、压抑感情时)紧咬 [no obj.]her teeth clenched in anger. 她气得紧咬牙关。 ■[with obj.]grasp (something) tightly and firmly, especially with the hands or between the teeth 握紧;咬紧 he clenched the steering wheel so hard that the car wobbled. 他把方向盘握得太紧,车子都摇摇晃晃的了。 ■[no obj.](of a muscular part of the body) tighten or contract sharply, especially with strong emotion (肌肉)(尤指因强烈感情)绷紧;缩紧 Mark felt his stomach clench in alarm. 马克感到他的胃部因恐慌而缩成一团。
noun
[in sing.]a contraction or tightening of part of the body (身体部位的)紧缩;紧绷 she saw the anger rise, saw the clench of his fists. 她看到他怒气升腾,双拳紧握。 ■the state of being tightly closed or contracted 抓牢,握牢,包牢;缩紧
语源
Old English (in the sense of clinch 'fix securely'): of Germanic origin; related to cling