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definitions

clasp

[klasp, klahsp]
See more synonyms for clasp on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a device, usually of metal, for fastening together two or more things or parts of the same thing: a clasp for paper money; a clasp on a necklace.
  2. a firm grasp or grip: a clasp of hands.
  3. a tight embrace: She held the child in a loving clasp.
  4. a small bar or metal design, as a star, for affixing to the ribbon of a military decoration to indicate that the bearer has been awarded the decoration an additional time.
verb (used with object), clasped or (Archaic) claspt [klaspt, klahspt] /klæspt, klɑspt/; clasping.
  1. to fasten with or as with a clasp.
  2. to furnish with a clasp.
  3. to seize, grasp, or grip with the hand: She clasped the club in her hand.
  4. to hold in a tight embrace; hug: He clasped the child to him.
verb (used without object), clasped or (Archaic) claspt [klaspt, klahspt] /klæspt, klɑspt/; clasping.
  1. to embrace or hug: The lovers clasped.

Origin of clasp

1275–1325; Middle English clasp (noun), claspen (v.), perhaps blend of clippen clip2 and haspe hasp
Related formsin·ter·clasp, verb (used with object)re·clasp, verb (used with object)

Synonyms for clasp

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1. brooch, pin, clip, hook, catch. 3. hug.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for clasp

grasp, clutch, clamp, fasten, grip, hug, clip, pin, snap, buckle, clinch, brooch, hasp, fastening, grapple, embrace, clench, catch, hold, hook

Examples from the Web for clasp

Contemporary Examples of clasp

Historical Examples of clasp

  • She swayed a little, so that the officer tightened his clasp on her wrist.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • So vigorous was her movement that Cassidy's clasp was thrown off the wrist.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • He received the medal and clasp, Khedive's star and the 3rd class of the Medjidie.

  • She struggled weakly to free herself, and his clasp only tightened jealously.

    Good Indian

    B. M. Bower

  • She looked from one to the other, and all she could do was to clasp her hands and smile.

British Dictionary definitions for clasp

clasp

noun
  1. a fastening, such as a catch or hook, used for holding things together
  2. a firm grasp, hold, or embrace
  3. military a bar or insignia on a medal ribbon, to indicate either a second award or the battle, campaign, or reason for its award
verb (tr)
  1. to hold in a firm grasp
  2. to grasp firmly with the hand
  3. to fasten together with or as if with a clasp
Derived Formsclasper, noun

Word Origin for clasp

C14: of uncertain origin; compare Old English clyppan to embrace
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
Word Origin and History for clasp
n.

c.1300, claspe, "metal catch or hook used to hold things together," perhaps a metathesis of clapse, and thus from or related to Old English clyppan "clasp" (see clip (v.2)).

v.

late 14c., from clasp (n.). Related: Clasped; clasping.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
clasp in Medicine

clasp

[klăsp]
n.
  1. A part of a removable partial denture that directly retains or stabilizes a denture.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.