Obs. [f. CLUNCH v. + FIST.]
1. A clenched fist (also fig. a ‘knock-down’ argument).
1589. R. Harvey, Pl. Perc., 20. They haue … made their conclusions end with a Clunchfist, right like the old description of Logicke.
1662. Fuller, Worthies, I. 189. The Clunch-fist of Logick (good to knock a man down at a blow).
2. A ‘close-fisted’ or niggardly person, a miser. (Also attrib.)
1606. Choice, Chance, etc. (1881), 68.
| What will this Clunchfist leaue vpon his graue? | |
| Here lies the Carkasse of a wretched knaue. |
1737. Ozell, Rabelais, I. liv. Gold graspers, coin gripers … ye cluntch-fist dastards.
So † Clunch-fisted a., ‘close-fisted,’ niggardly.
1644. Sir E. Dering, Proper Sacrif., Pref. E iiij b. He was an Abraham clunchfisted.
1664. J. Wilson, Cheats, I. iii. They are … so Clunchfisted … ’tis death to ’um to pluck ’um [their hands] out of their pockets.
