Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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adj
Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Canada, US
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The claw of a predatory animal or bird.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used to separate the engine and gearbox in a car.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The pedal in a car that disengages power and torque transmission from the engine (through the drivetrain) to the drive wheels.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: automotive, transport, vehicles
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A fastener that attaches to the back of a tack pin to secure an accessory to clothing. (See Clutch (pin fastener).)
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: business, clothing, fashion, lifestyle, manufacturing, textiles
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: clutch bag
Antonyms: none provided
noun
An important or critical situation.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A difficult maneuver.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs; a sitting.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: collective
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: setting, sitting
Antonyms: none provided
noun
A group or bunch (of people or things).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: collective
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To seize, as though with claws.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To grip or grasp tightly.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: transitive
Synonyms: clasp, grasp, grip, beclasp, begrasp, begrip, belock, clench, clinch, cling, clutch, enclasp, fang, fondle, glaum, grab, grabble, hang on, hold on, hold tight, hold, nab, nim, seize, stranglehold, take
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To win despite being the only remaining player on one's team, against several opponents.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: video-games
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To unexpectedly or luckily succeed in a difficult activity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly
Topics: video-games
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To hatch.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: collective, transitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
the act of grasping
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: clasp, clench, clutches, grasp, grip, hold
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: grasping, taking hold, seizing, prehension
Narrower terms: chokehold, choke hold, embrace, embracing, embracement, wrestling hold
noun
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: coupling, coupler
Narrower terms: freewheel, friction clutch
noun
a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: clutch pedal
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: pedal, treadle, foot pedal, foot lever
noun
a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: clutch bag
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: bag, handbag, pocketbook, purse
noun
a collection of things or persons to be handled together
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: batch
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: collection, aggregation, accumulation, assemblage
Narrower terms: schmeer, schmear, shmear
noun
a number of birds hatched at the same time
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: brood
noun
a tense critical situation
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: temporary state
verb
affect
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: seize, get hold of
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: overwhelm, overpower, sweep over, whelm, overcome, overtake
verb
take hold of; grab
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: seize, prehend
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: take, get hold of
Narrower terms: nab, rack, claw, collar, nail, apprehend, arrest, pick up, cop, get, catch, capture, clasp, grip, grab, take hold of, snatch, snatch up, snap, clench, clinch, grapple
verb
hold firmly, usually with one's hands
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Synonyms: cling to, hold close, hold tight
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: hold, take hold
Narrower terms: cuddle, snuggle, nestle, nest, nuzzle, draw close
History
From Middle English clucchen, clicchen, cluchen, clechen, cleken, from Old English clyċċan (“to clutch, clench”), from Proto-West Germanic *klukkjan, from Proto-Germanic *klukjaną, from Proto-Germanic *klu- (“to ball up, conglomerate, amass”), from Proto-Indo-European *glew- (“to ball up; lump, mass”). Cognate with Swedish klyka (“clamp, fork, branch”). The noun is from Middle English cleche, cloche, cloke ("claw, talon, hand"; compare Scots cleuk, cluke, cluik (“claw, talon”)), of uncertain origin, with the form probably assimilated to the verb. Alternative etymology derives Old English clyċċan from Proto-Germanic *klēk- (“claw, hand”), from Proto-Indo-European *glēk-, *ǵlēḱ- (“claw, hand; to clutch, snatch”). If so, then cognate with Irish glac (“hand”).
Variant form of cletch, from Middle English cleken (“to hatch”), perhaps from Old Norse klekja (“to hatch”).
Across languages
223 source translations are retained for this English entry.
