clutch

clutch
clutch
clutch1 or clutch bag [kluch]
vt.
[ME clucchen < OE clyccan, to clench (infl. in meaning by ME cloke, a claw) < IE * glek- (> CLING) < base * gel-: see CLIMB]
1. to grasp, seize, or snatch with a hand or claw
2. to grasp or hold eagerly or tightly
vi.
1. to snatch or seize (at)
2. to engage the clutch of an automobile, etc.
☆ 3. Informal to become tense with anxiety, fear, etc.: often with up
n.
[ME clucche < the v.]
1. a claw or hand in the act of seizing
2. [usually pl.] power; control
3.
a) the act of clutching
b) a grasp; grip
4.
a) a mechanical, electromagnetic, or hydraulic device for engaging a driving shaft to, or disengaging it from, a driven shaft
b) the lever or pedal, as in an automobile, by which this device is operated
5. a device for gripping and holding, as in a crane
6. a woman's small handbag with no handle or strap, held in the hand: also clutch bag
☆ 7. Informal a critical situation or emergency [dependable in the clutch]
adj.
☆ Informal
1. designating or done in a critical situation
2. likely to function well or be successful in such a situation
SYN.- TAKE
clutch2 [kluch]
vt.
[dial. < ME clekken (< ON klekja), to hatch]
Rare to hatch (chicks)
n.
1. a nest of eggs
2. a brood of chicks
3. a number of persons, animals, or things gathered together; cluster

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clutch — Жанры Стоунер рок Хардкор Хард рок Фанк метал Блюз рок Годы 1990 настоящее время …   Википедия

  • Clutch — Clutch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clutched} (kl[u^]cht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Clutching}.] [OE. clucchen. See {Clutch}, n.] 1. To seize, clasp, or grip with the hand, hands, or claws; often figuratively; as, to clutch power. [1913 Webster] A man may set… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Clutch — (kl[u^]ch; 224), n. [OE. cloche, cloke, claw, Scot. clook, cleuck, also OE. cleche claw, clechen, cleken, to seize; cf. AS. gel[ae]ccan (where ge is a prefix) to seize. Cf. {Latch} a catch.] 1. A gripe or clinching with, or as with, the fingers… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Clutch — en concierto en Minneapolis, 2007 Datos generales Origen Germantown, Maryland …   Wikipedia Español

  • clutch — ‘seize’ [14] and clutch of eggs [18] are separate words, although they may ultimately be related. The verb arose in Middle English as a variant of the now obsolete clitch, which came from Old English clyccan ‘bend, clench’. The modern sense of… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • clutch — clutch·man; de·clutch; un·clutch; clutch; …   English syllables

  • clutch — ‘seize’ [14] and clutch of eggs [18] are separate words, although they may ultimately be related. The verb arose in Middle English as a variant of the now obsolete clitch, which came from Old English clyccan ‘bend, clench’. The modern sense of… …   Word origins

  • Clutch — Clutch, v. i. 1. To reach (at something) as if to grasp; to catch or snatch; often followed by at. [1913 Webster] 2. to become too tense or frightened to perform properly; used sometimes with up; as, he clutched up on the exam. [PJC] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clutch — vb grasp, grab, *take, seize, snatch Analogous words: capture, *catch: hold, *have, possess, own clutch n *hold, grip, grasp Analogous words: seizing, grabbing, taking (see TAKE) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • clutch — [n] strong hold clamp, clasp, clench, clinch, connection, coupling, grapple, grasp, grip, gripe, link; concept 190 clutch [v] grab, snatch catch, cherish, clasp, clench, clinch, cling to, collar, embrace, fasten, glom*, grapple, grasp, grip,… …   New thesaurus

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