51Թ

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View synonyms for

claw

[ klaw ]

noun

  1. a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.
  2. a similar curved process at the end of the leg of an insect.
  3. the pincerlike extremity of specific limbs of certain arthropods:

    lobster claws.

  4. any part or thing resembling a claw, as the cleft end of the head of a hammer.
  5. Typography. the hooklike projection from the right side of an r or from the bowl of a g.
  6. (in a motion-picture mechanism) a device having one or two teeth that hook into the perforations of a length of film and move it one frame at a time at any given speed.
  7. Jewelry. one of a group of slender, tapering metal projections rising from the base of a jewelry setting, used to hold a transparent or faceted gemstone in position. Compare prong ( def 4 ).


verb (used with object)

  1. to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws:

    The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.

  2. to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws:

    to claw a hole in the earth.

  3. to proceed by or as if by using the hands:

    He clawed his way through the crowd.

verb (used without object)

  1. to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws:

    The cat clawed and hissed in fear.

  2. to make fumbling motions:

    He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.

  3. Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.

verb phrase

claw

/ ɔː /

noun

  1. a curved pointed horny process on the end of each digit in birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals
  2. a corresponding structure in some invertebrates, such as the pincer of a crab
  3. a part or member like a claw in function or appearance
  4. botany the narrow basal part of certain petals and sepals
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to scrape, tear, or dig (something or someone) with claws, etc
  2. tr to create by scratching as with claws

    to claw an opening

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

claw

/ ô /

  1. A sharp, curved nail at the end of a toe of a mammal, reptile, or bird.
  2. A pincer, as of a lobster or crab, used for grasping.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈɱ, noun
  • ˈɱ, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • İ noun
  • l adjective
  • · verb (used with object)
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of claw1

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English clawu; cognate with Old High German ō(), akin to Dutch klauw, German Klaue; (verb) Middle English clawen, Old English claw(i)an, derivative of clawu (noun); akin to Dutch klauwen, German klauen
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of claw1

Old English clawu; related to Old High German kluwi, Sanskrit glau- ball, sphere
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Legal experts said there was little precedent for Hochman to try to claw back Gascón’s motion, though he has every right to add his own position to the record.

From

However, Boulter clawed her way to a hold and began to look more settled.

From

On its first day in operation, as ocean waves crashed behind him, an EPA contractor used a Bobcat with a front claw to pick up a metal drum and hold it over the machine’s chute.

From

The prospect of negotiations between the US and Japan seemed to buoy investors who were fighting to claw back some of the losses of recent days.

From

"There is still a chance for us and we have to fight and claw for it, but we aren't showing it on the pitch," he said.

From

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