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clawhammer

  • a word derived from claw hammer.
    claw hammer
    noun
    a hammer having a head with one end curved and cleft for pulling out nails.

Example Sentences

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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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