clutch

[ kluhch ]

/ klʌtʃ /

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.

a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part.Compare coupling(def 2a).
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.

Nearby words

cluster pine, cluster point, cluster variable, clustered, clusterfuck, clutch, clutch bag, clutha, clutter, clwyd, clyde

Origin of clutch

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

SYNONYMS FOR clutch

2 clench, squeeze, hug.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR clutch ON THESAURUS.COM

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

Synonym study

1. See catch.

Definition for clutched (2 of 2)

clutch

[ kluhch ]

/ klʌtʃ /

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 clutch

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for clutched

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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
He caught them in the alleys of Lombard Street, and clutched them from the counting-houses of Cornhill.
Sybil|Benjamin Disraeli
She beat the water with her hands, and clutched at it, and tried to push it back.
Shadow, the Mysterious Detective|Police Captain Howard
Mr. Fletcher was violently impelled against George; to save a fall clutched him.
Once Aboard The Lugger|Arthur Stuart-Menteth Hutchinson
She simply sat, with staring eyes, and clutched the arms of her chair as though to keep from slipping into some dreadful abyss.
Dearest|Henry Beam Piper
She clutched the two ropes and held her legs out straight, so as not to touch the ground.
Original Short Stories, Volume 12 (of 13)|Guy de Maupassant

British Dictionary definitions for clutched (1 of 2)

clutch

/ (klʌtʃ) /

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 for clutch

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

British Dictionary definitions for clutched (2 of 2)

clutch

/ (klʌtʃ) /

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 for clutch

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 (1 of 4)

clutch

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.

Word Origin and History for clutched (1 of 4)

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.)).

Word Origin and History for clutched (2 of 4)

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.

Word Origin and History for clutched (3 of 4)

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.

clutch

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

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Origin of clutch

Synonym study

Definition for clutched (2 of 2)

clutch

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of clutch

Examples from the Web for clutched

British Dictionary definitions for clutched (1 of 2)

clutch

verb

noun

Word Origin for clutch

British Dictionary definitions for clutched (2 of 2)

clutch

noun

verb

Word Origin for clutch

Word Origin and History for clutched (1 of 4)

clutch

Word Origin and History for clutched (1 of 4)

clutch

Word Origin and History for clutched (2 of 4)

clutch

Word Origin and History for clutched (3 of 4)

clutch

Idioms and Phrases with clutched

clutch