clutch1
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comSynonym study
clutch2
- 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.
- to hatch (chickens).
Origin of clutch2
Related Words
gripsnatchclenchgraspfastenclaspnabseizeharborclinchkeepnailhookgrappleembracetakecherishcatchsnagholdExamples 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.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
She went white and clutched the edge of the table, with her eyes closed.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
He was sure it was there, for ever since it came his hot hand had clutched it.
KMary Roberts Rinehart
He clutched it and, starting up, stared at me in the utmost astonishment.
Green MansionsW. H. Hudson
Taking up the pouch, she handed it to him, and he clutched it with a strange eagerness.
Green MansionsW. H. Hudson
clutch1
- (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)
- 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
clutch2
- 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
- (tr) to hatch (chickens)
Word Origin
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.