cramp

¹ American  

[kramp] / kræmp /

noun

1. Often cramps

   1. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.

   2. a piercing pain in the abdomen.

   3. an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.

2. writer's cramp.

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verb (used with object)

1. to affect with or as if with a cramp.

cramp ² American  

[kramp] / kræmp /

noun

1. cramp iron.

2. a portable frame or tool with a movable part that can be screwed up to hold things together; clamp.

3. anything that confines or restrains.

4. a cramped state or part.

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verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or hold with a cramp.

2. to confine narrowly; restrict; restrain; hamper.

3. to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear; steer.

adjective

1. cramped.

idioms

1. cramp one's style, to prevent one from showing one's best abilities.

cramp ¹ British  

/ kræmp /

noun

1. Also called: cramp iron.  a strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry

2. a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp

3. something that confines or restricts

4. a confined state or position

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verb

1. to secure or hold with a cramp

2. to confine, hamper, or restrict

3. informal to prevent a person from using his abilities or acting freely and confidently

cramp ² British  

/ kræmp /

noun

1. a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill

2. temporary partial paralysis of a muscle group

   writer's cramp

3. (usually plural in the US and Canada) severe abdominal pain

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verb

1. (tr) to affect with or as if with a cramp

Other Word Forms

• crampingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of cramp¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English crampe, from Old French, from Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of an adjective meaning “narrow, constrained, bent”; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp ¹

Origin of cramp²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English crampe, crompe, from Middle Dutch; cramp ¹

Example Sentences

The undisputed best way to spend 13 hours in a cramped seat?

From The Wall Street Journal

“I’m his wife,” I said to the on-call doctor, asserting my place in the cramped exam room.

From Los Angeles Times

"Today, more than 7,000 people live on the same piece of land. Streets are narrow, alleys are cramped -- there is nowhere else," Azzeh said, referring to the camp.

From Barron's

Some people are living in very cramped spaces.

From MarketWatch

If you’re feeling hot and cramped, just think of Cruise and Blunt in those super suits.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ache
• constipation
• contraction
• convulsion
• pain
• stiffness
• twinge