зажа́ть

fairly common #3575C2

verbperfective imperfective is зажима́ть

1.
to clutch, to grip tightly, to squeeze
Он зажа́л моне́ту в кулаке́.
He clutched the coin in his fist.
Of holding something firmly in a fist teeth or under an arm.
2.
to cover (with a hand), to stop up, to hold shut
Зажми́ рот и молчи́!
Cover your mouth and keep quiet!
Typically of the mouth nose or ears.
3.
to clamp, to fix (in a vice)technology
Он зажа́л дета́ль в тиски́.
He clamped the part in the vice.
4.
to suppress, to stifle, to keep down
Вла́сти зажа́ли критику в прессе.
The authorities suppressed criticism in the press.
Of criticism freedom or people.

Examples

Столяр зажал доску струбциной
The carpenter clamped the board with a screw clamp.
Клепаемый лист надо крепко зажать.
The sheet being riveted must be clamped tightly.
Мастер зажал деталь в тиски.
The mechanic clamped the part in the vise.
Ошалевший от шума толпы, парень зажал уши.
Dazed by the noise of the crowd, the young man covered his ears.

Imperative
ты	зажми́
вы	зажми́те

Active present	-
Active past	зажа́вший	having squeezed, having clamped, having clutched, having pinched
Passive present	-
Passive past	зажа́тый	clenched, gripped, squeezed tight
Gerund present	-
Gerund past	зажа́в зажавши	while doing (past)