Dictionary.com
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

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
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 clasped

grasp, clutch, clamp, fasten, grip, concatenate, squeeze, clip, pin, seize, buckle, clinch, attack, snatch, grapple, hug, embrace, take, press, hold

Examples from the Web for clasped

Contemporary Examples of clasped

Historical Examples of clasped

  • The venerable Persian gazed at her for an instant, and then clasped her to his bosom.

    Philothea

    Lydia Maria Child

  • He clasped his head in his hands and strove to clear his mind for a moment from obsession.

    Viviette

    William J. Locke

  • But his wife, her face aglow, clasped her hands in an ecstasy of delight.

  • As she spoke, the girl let go Mary's hand and clasped her own together ecstatically.

    Within the Law

    Marvin Dana

  • They were the hands that Ned had kissed, as he had mine; clasped and pressed, as he had—how could he!

British Dictionary definitions for clasped

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 clasped

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)).

clasp

v.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
clasped 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.