clamp vs clench

clamp

verb
  • To hold or grip tightly. 

  • To fasten in place or together with (or as if with) a clamp. 

  • To immobilise (a vehicle) by means of a wheel clamp. 

  • To modify (a numeric value) so it lies within a specific range by replacing values outside the range with the closest value within the range. 

noun
  • An electronic circuit that fixes either the positive or the negative peak excursions of a signal to a defined value by shifting its DC value. 

  • A parking enforcement device used to immobilise a car until it can be towed or a fine is paid; a wheel clamp. 

  • An instrument used to temporarily shut off blood vessels, etc. 

  • A mass of bricks heaped up to be burned; or of ore for roasting, or of coal coking. 

  • A pile of agricultural produce such as root vegetables or silage stored under a layer of earth or an airtight sheet. 

  • A piece of wood (batten) across the grain of a board end to keep it flat, as in a breadboard. 

  • A brace, band, or clasp for strengthening or holding things together. 

clench

verb
  • To grip or hold fast. 

  • To close tightly. 

noun
  • A tight grip. 

  • A local chapter of the Church of the SubGenius parody religion. 

  • A seal that is applied to formed thin-wall bushings. 

How often have the words clamp and clench occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )