clasp
Americannoun
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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.
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a firm grasp or grip.
a clasp of hands.
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a tight embrace.
She held the child in a loving clasp.
- Synonyms:
- hug
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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)
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to fasten with or as with a clasp.
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to furnish with a clasp.
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to seize, grasp, or grip with the hand.
She clasped the club in her hand.
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to hold in a tight embrace; hug.
He clasped the child to him.
verb (used without object)
noun
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a fastening, such as a catch or hook, used for holding things together
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a firm grasp, hold, or embrace
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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
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to hold in a firm grasp
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to grasp firmly with the hand
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to fasten together with or as if with a clasp
Other Word Forms
- clasper noun
- interclasp verb (used with object)
- reclasp verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of clasp
1275–1325; Middle English clasp (noun), claspen (v.), perhaps blend of clippen clip 2 and haspe hasp
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Angela clasped her hands together on the table, seeming to steel herself for the story ahead.
From Literature
Rowan rolled up the map tightly again and fastened the clasp.
From Literature
She opened her second eye and took a deep breath and clasped the hand he held out to her.
From Literature
Ms. W. looked at her clasped hands like there was an answer inside there if she could only get them to open up.
From Literature
Then the beetle seeks out an ant — climbing on top of it, clasping its antennae in its jaws and scooping up its pheromones with brush-like legs.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
