CLUTCH

clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold

(noun) the act of grasping; “he released his clasp on my arm”; “he has a strong grip for an old man”; “she kept a firm hold on the railing”

clutch

(noun) a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism; “this year’s model has an improved clutch”

clutch, clutch pedal

(noun) a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism; “he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other”

batch, clutch

(noun) a collection of things or persons to be handled together

clutch

(noun) a number of birds hatched at the same time

clutch

(noun) a tense critical situation; “he is a good man in the clutch”

seize, clutch, get hold of

(verb) affect; “Fear seized the prisoners”; “The patient was seized with unbearable pains”; “He was seized with a dreadful disease”

seize, prehend, clutch

(verb) take hold of; grab; “The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter”; “She clutched her purse”; “The mother seized her child by the arm”; “Birds of prey often seize small mammals”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Verb

clutch (third-person singular simple present clutches, present participle clutching, simple past and past participle clutched)

To seize, as though with claws. [from 14th c.]

To grip or grasp tightly. [from 17th c.]

Synonyms

• (grip or grasp tightly): clasp, grasp, grip; See also grasp

Noun

clutch (plural clutches)

The claw of a predatory animal or bird. [from 13th c.]

(by extension) A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil. [from 16th c.]

A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used between engine and gearbox in a car. [from 19th c.]

The pedal in a car that disengages power transmission.

Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.

A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.

Synonyms

• (small handbag): clutch bag

Etymology 2

Noun

clutch (plural clutches) (collective)

A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs. [from 18th c.]

A group or bunch (of people or things). [from 20th c.]

Verb

clutch (third-person singular simple present clutches, present participle clutching, simple past and past participle clutched)

(transitive) To hatch.

Etymology 3

Noun

clutch (plural clutches)

(US) An important or critical situation.

Adjective

clutch (comparative more clutch, superlative most clutch)

(US, Canada) Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.

Anagrams

• cultch

Source: Wiktionary

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Clutch (kluch; 224), n. Etym: [OE. cloche, cloke, claw, Scot. clook, cleuck, also OE. cleche claw, clechen, cleken, to seize; cf. AS. gelæccan (where ge- is a prefix) to seize. Cf. Latch a catch.]

1. A gripe or clinching with, or as with, the fingers or claws; seizure; grasp. "The clutch of poverty." Cowper. An expiring clutch at popularity. Carlyle. But Age, with his stealing steps, Hath clawed me in his clutch. Shak.

2. pl.

Definition: The hands, claws, or talons, in the act of grasping firmly; -- often figuratively, for power, rapacity, or cruelty; as, to fall into the clutches of an adversary. I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever more come near the clutches of such a giant. Bp. Stillingfleet.

3. (Mach.)

Definition: A device which is used for coupling shafting, etc., so as to transmit motion, and which may be disengaged at pleasure.

4. Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.

5. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The nest complement of eggs of a bird. Bayonet clutch (Mach.), a clutch in which connection is made by means of bayonets attached to arms sliding on a feathered shaft. The bayonets slide through holes in a crosshead fastened on the shaft.

Clutch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clutched; p. pr. & vb. n. Clutching.] Etym: [OE. clucchen. See Clutch, n.]

1. To seize, clasp, or gripe with the hand, hands, or claws; -- often figuratively; as, to clutch power. A man may set the poles together in his head, and clutch the whole globe at one intellectual grasp. Collier. Is this a dagger which I see before me . . . Come, let me clutch thee. Shak.

2. To close tightly; to clinch. Not that I have the power to clutch my hand. Shak.

Clutch, v. i.

Definition: To reach (at something) as if to grasp; to catch or snatch; -- often followed by at. Clutching at the phantoms of the stock market. Bankroft.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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