clawhammer
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a word derived from
claw hammer.
claw hammernouna hammer having a head with one end curved and cleft for pulling out nails.
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.
After the band’s set that evening, he approached band member Byrne Klay, who’d been playing the clawhammer banjo.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 17, 2022
She switched to banjo, then adopted the old-timey clawhammer style after hearing the likes of Grandpa Jones and Dave “Stringbean” Akeman on the radio.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 10, 2019
But there are also welcome surprises, such as a version of Bill Withers’ “Grandma’s Hands” played on clawhammer banjo and two original songs by O’Brien about his family’s history in Wheeling.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 6, 2018
On this day, she was going to clawhammer her way through “Durang’s Hornpipe.”
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 23, 2017
“Didn’t you hear anything at the funeral? He was the old schoolmaster before Miss Myrt’s time. Ten foot tall in his clawhammer coat.”
From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck
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