morsa

vice

noun MOR-sah Rare

Also means

grip

Usage Note

Morsa primarily means a vice or clamp used to grip objects in a workshop. Figuratively, la morsa del freddo (the grip of the cold) or la morsa della paura (the grip of fear) are common expressions. Do not confuse with morso (bite, from mordere) — morsa and morso are related in origin but differ in gender and primary meaning.

Examples

"Ha stretto il pezzo nella morsa."

Natural Translation

He clamped the piece in the vice.

Literal Translation

He tightened the piece in-the vice.

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