claw

[ klaw ]

/ klɔ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR claw ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.

a similar curved process at the end of the leg of an insect.

the pincerlike extremity of specific limbs of certain arthropods: lobster claws.

any part or thing resembling a claw, as the cleft end of the head of a hammer.

Typography. the hooklike projection from the right side of an r or from the bowl of a g.

(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.

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)

to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws: The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.

to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws: to claw a hole in the earth.

to proceed by or as if by using the hands: He clawed his way through the crowd.

verb (used without object)

to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws: The cat clawed and hissed in fear.

to make fumbling motions: He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.

Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.

Nearby words

claviger, clavipectoral fascia, clavius, clavola, clavus, claw, claw back, claw bar, claw foot, claw hammer, claw hatchet

Origin of claw

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English clawu; cognate with Old High German chlō(a), akin to Dutch klauw, German Klaue; (v.) Middle English clawen, Old English claw(i)an, derivative of clawu (noun); akin to Dutch klauwen, German klauen

Related formsclaw·er, nounclaw·less, adjectivede·claw, verb (used with object)

Can be confusedclause claws

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for claw

My sisters Rosa and Liz called it “the claw,” lovingly at times, and at other times I was not so sure.
‘Tracing the Blue Light’: Read Chapter 1 of Eileen Cronin’s ‘Mermaid’|Eileen Cronin|April 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The dragon, now dangling by a claw from the edge of the sand tray, is on the cusp of defeat.
The Rise of Superhero Therapy: Comic Books as Psychological Treatment|Alex Suskind|February 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Yes, the agency did try to claw back some of the money it gave out after Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, reports Michael Moynihan.
From Katrina To Sandy, FEMA Rumors and Failures Keep Swirling|Michael Moynihan|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Admitting to an even bigger trading loss, CEO Jamie Dimon apologized for rogue managers, pledging to claw back compensation.
JPMorgan Chase Earnings: CEO Jamie Dimon Comes Clean|Alex Klein|July 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST

The two have been battling tooth and claw in the Sunshine State this week.
A Florida Win Will Make Headlines, But What About the Delegates?|Matthew DeLuca|January 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And his throat was compressed in those brown, lean, muscular fingers, as in a claw of steel.
The Sign of the Spider|Bertram Mitford
Also they often lose a claw in the terrible fights of which they seem so fond.
On the Seashore|R. Cadwallader Smith
Is not the lamina of the claw comparable to the wall of the hoof?
Artistic Anatomy of Animals|douard Cuyer
With his hat held in one claw he bowed most beautifully to a little wren that sat on a limb just below him.
The Adventures of Puss in Boots, Jr.|David Cory
But I know that I but claw my wounds when my Physician hath forbidden me.
Letters of Samuel Rutherford|Samuel Rutherford

British Dictionary definitions for claw

claw

/ (klɔː) /

noun

a curved pointed horny process on the end of each digit in birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals

a corresponding structure in some invertebrates, such as the pincer of a crab

a part or member like a claw in function or appearance

botany the narrow basal part of certain petals and sepals

verb

to scrape, tear, or dig (something or someone) with claws, etc

(tr) to create by scratching as with clawsto claw an opening

Derived Formsclawer, nounclawless, adjective

Word Origin for claw

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

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 claw (1 of 2)

claw

Old English clawu, earlier clea, "claw, talon, iron hook," from Proto-Germanic *klawo (cf. Old Frisian klawe "claw, hoe," Middle Dutch klouwe, Dutch klauw, Old High German klawa, German Klaue "claw").

Claw-foot in reference to furniture is from 1823; claw-and-ball attested from 1893. Claw-hammer attested from 1769.

Word Origin and History for claw (1 of 2)

claw

Old English clawian "to scratch, claw," from the same root as claw (n.). Related: Clawed; clawing. Cf. Dutch klaauwen, Old High German klawan, German klauen. To claw back"regain by great effort" is from 1953; as a noun, an act of this, from 1969.

Science definitions for claw

claw

[ klô ]

A sharp, curved nail at the end of a toe of a mammal, reptile, or bird.

A pincer, as of a lobster or crab, used for grasping.

claw

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Origin of claw

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British Dictionary definitions for claw

claw

noun

verb

Word Origin for claw

Word Origin and History for claw (1 of 2)

claw

Word Origin and History for claw (1 of 2)

claw

Science definitions for claw

claw

claw

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verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

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Origin of claw

Examples from the Web for claw

British Dictionary definitions for.css-ylq2vz{color:#1a1a1a;} claw

claw

noun

verb

Word Origin for claw

Word Origin and History for claw (1 of 2)

claw

Word Origin and History for claw (1 of 2)

claw

Science definitions for claw

claw

noun

British Dictionary definitions for claw