clutch¹

[kluhch]

See more synonyms for clutch on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch: The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.
to grip or hold tightly or firmly: She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.
Slang. to spellbind; grip a person's emotions, attention, or interest: Garbo movies really clutch me.

verb (used without object)

to try to seize or grasp (usually followed by at): He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.
Slang. to become tense with fright; panic (sometimes followed by up): I clutched up on the math exam.
to operate the clutch in a vehicle.

noun

the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.
Usually clutches. power of disposal or control; mastery: She fell into the clutches of the enemy.
the act of clutching; a snatch or grasp.
a tight grip or hold.
a device for gripping something.
Automotive, Machinery.
1. a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part.Compare coupling(def 2a).
2. a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.
Sports. an extremely important or crucial moment of a game: He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.
any critical position or situation; emergency: She kept complete control in the clutch.
Also called clutch bag, clutch purse. a woman's small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.

adjective

done or accomplished in a critical situation: a clutch shot that won the basketball game.
dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.
(of a coat) without fasteners; held closed in front by one's hand or arm.

Origin of clutch¹

1175–1225; Middle English clucchen, variant of clicchen, Old English clyccan to clench

Related formsclutch·ing·ly, adverbclutch·y, adjective

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

2. clench, squeeze, hug.

Synonym study

1. See catch.

clutch²

[kluhch]

noun

a hatch of eggs; the number of eggs produced or incubated at one time.
a brood of chickens.
a number of similar individuals: a clutch of books; a whole clutch of dancers.

verb (used with object)

to hatch (chickens).

Origin of clutch²

1715–25; variant of cletch (now dial.); akin to Scots cleck to hatch < Old Norse klekja to hatch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for clutched

Contemporary Examples

That was accomplished by cops such as the one whose picture was clutched so tightly by his widow on Sunday.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss
Michael Daly
January 5, 2015
As he entered the canyon, he clutched his chest and fell to the sidewalk.
Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius
Mark Whitaker
October 5, 2014
Contestants, huddled on the couches of a communal room, clutched their faces in shock and some broke into sobs.
No One Told ‘Big Brother Israel’ About the War
Nina Strochlic
August 7, 2014
I clutched my portfolio, and smiled as I looked at the window.
The Model Diaries: The Rush of Rejection in Paris
Anonymous
December 26, 2013
She had afterward wondered aloud if perhaps somebody, maybe even Emily, had clutched Antonia during the final moments.
The First Funeral for Moore, Oklahoma
Michael Daly
May 24, 2013

Historical Examples

His hand slipped into the pocket where was the pistol, and clutched it.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
She went white and clutched the edge of the table, with her eyes closed.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
He was sure it was there, for ever since it came his hot hand had clutched it.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
Taking up the pouch, she handed it to him, and he clutched it with a strange eagerness.
Green Mansions
W. H. Hudson
He clutched it and, starting up, stared at me in the utmost astonishment.
Green Mansions
W. H. Hudson

British Dictionary definitions for clutched

clutch¹

verb

(tr) to seize with or as if with hands or claws
(tr) to grasp or hold firmly
(intr usually foll by at) to attempt to get hold or possession (of)

noun

a device that enables two revolving shafts to be joined or disconnected as required, esp one that transmits the drive from the engine to the gearbox in a vehicle
a device for holding fast
a firm grasp
a hand, claw, or talon in the act of clutchingin the clutches of a bear
(often plural) power or controlin the clutches of the Mafia
Also called: clutch bag a handbag without handles

Word Origin

Old English clyccan; related to Old Frisian kletsie spear, Swedish klyka clasp, fork

clutch²

noun

a hatch of eggs laid by a particular bird or laid in a single nest
a brood of chickens
informal a group, bunch, or cluster

verb

(tr) to hatch (chickens)

Word Origin

C17 (Northern English dialect) cletch, from Old Norse klekja to hatch

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 clutched

clutch

v.

Old English clyccan "bring together, bend (the fingers), clench," from PIE *klukja- (cf. Swedish klyka "clamp, fork;" related to cling). Meaning "to grasp" is early 14c.; that of "to seize with the claws or clutches" is from late 14c. Sense of "hold tightly and close" is from c.1600. Influenced in meaning by Middle English cloke "a claw." Related: Clutched; clutching.

clutch

n.3

"a brood, a nest" in reference to chickens, eggs, 1721, from clekken "to hatch" (c.1400). Said by OED to be apparently a southern England dialect word. Cf. batch/bake. Probably from a Scandinavian source (e.g. Old Norse klekja "to hatch"), perhaps of imitative origin (cf. cluck (v.)).

clutch

n.1

"a claw, grip, grasp," c.1300, from cloche "claw," from cloke (c.1200), related to clucchen, clicchen (see clutch (v.)). Meaning "grasping hand" (1520s) led to that of "tight grasp" (1784). Related: Clutches.

clutch

n.2

movable mechanical part for transmitting motion, 1814, from clutch (v.), with the "seizing" sense extended to "device for bringing working parts together." Originally of mill-works, first used of motor vehicles 1899. Meaning "moment when heroics are required" is attested from 1920s.

Idioms and Phrases with clutched

clutch

see grasp (clutch) at straws.

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Synonyms

Synonym study

clutch2

Origin of clutch2

Related Words

Examples from the Web for clutched

Contemporary Examples

That was accomplished by cops such as the one whose picture was clutched so tightly by his widow on Sunday.

As he entered the canyon, he clutched his chest and fell to the sidewalk.

Contestants, huddled on the couches of a communal room, clutched their faces in shock and some broke into sobs.

I clutched my portfolio, and smiled as I looked at the window.

She had afterward wondered aloud if perhaps somebody, maybe even Emily, had clutched Antonia during the final moments.

Historical Examples

His hand slipped into the pocket where was the pistol, and clutched it.

She went white and clutched the edge of the table, with her eyes closed.

He was sure it was there, for ever since it came his hot hand had clutched it.

Taking up the pouch, she handed it to him, and he clutched it with a strange eagerness.

He clutched it and, starting up, stared at me in the utmost astonishment.

clutch1

Word Origin

clutch2

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for clutched

clutch

v.

clutch

n.3

clutch

n.1

clutch

n.2

Idioms and Phrases with clutched

clutch

clutch¹

Origin of clutch¹

clutch²

Origin of clutch²

clutch¹

clutch²