Clutch word meaning and definition

[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"
[noun] a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
[noun] a pedal that operates a clutch
[noun] a collection of things or persons to be handled together
[noun] a number of birds hatched at the same time
[noun] a tense critical situation; "he is a good man in the clutch"
[verb] affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized with unberable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful disease"
[verb] take hold of; grab; "The salesclerk 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"
[verb] hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm when she got scared"

\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 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. 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.) 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. (Zo["o]l.) 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}.] [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. 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.

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