An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

The constriction of a current-carrying plasma column caused by its external self-magnetic field.

Etymology (EN): M.E. pinch, from O.Fr. pincier “to pinch,” possibly from V.L. *punctiare “to pierce,” from L. punctum “point,” and *piccare “to pierce.”

Etymology (PE): Penk “pinch, squeezing or compressing between the finger and thumb” (Dehxodâ), cf. (Tabari) pendik, pecelik, (Kermâni) perenju “pinch,” maybe related to panjé “the palm of the hand with five fingers; fist,” from panj “five,” from Mid.Pers. panj; Av. panca; cf.
Skt. pánca; Gk. pente; L. quinque; O.E. fif, from P.Gmc. *fimfe (O.S. fif, O.H.G. funf);
from PIE base *penk^we “five.”