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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CLINCH, CLENCH, v. and n. [klɪnʃ wm.Sc., s.Sc.; klɛnʃ ne.Sc.]

1. v. To limp (Abd.⁹ 1937; w.Sc. 1887 Jam.⁶); “to halt, to walk on one foot” (Gall. 1824 MacTaggart Gallov. Encycl. 137); “to walk with laborious effort” (Bnff.² 1937).Abd. 1737 W. Meston Old Mother Grim's Tales 58–59:
Brookie, at this, threw by his Hammer, . . . Clench'd out of Doors.Abd.(D) 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xxxviii.:
He sees Dawvid comin' for's orders, clenchin awa' wi' a bit staffie in's han'.Rxb. 1821 A. Scott Poems 156:
. . . a red tumour, swith it raise, And made me clinch for several days.

Hence (1) clincher, a lame person, a cripple (Kcb.⁹ 1937); †(2) clenchie, in comb. clenchie-fit, “a club-foot” (Mearns 1825 Jam.²).(1) w.Sc. 1887 Jam.⁶:
A lame person or one with a club-foot is often called a hippity, a clincher, or a hippity-clincher. [Kcb.⁶ 1914 gives hipperty-clinch.]

2. n. A limp (Bnff.², Abd.¹⁹ 1937).Abd. 1824 G. Smith Douglas, etc. 92:
A' our enjoyments wad dwine to a dripple; Our swaggerin' be nought but the clench o' a cripple.Rnf. 1790 A. Wilson Poems 201:
Wi' yowlin' clinch aul' Jennock ran.