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Webster 1913 Edition

Clutch

Clutch

(klŭch; 224)
,
Noun.
[OE.
cloche
,
cloke
, claw, Scot.
clook
,
cleuck
, also OE.
cleche
claw,
clechen
,
cleken
, to seize; cf. AS.
gelæccan
(where
ge-
is a prefix) to seize. Cf.
Latch
a catch.]
1.
A gripe or clinching with, or as with, the fingers or claws; seizure; grasp.
“The clutch of poverty.”
Cowper.
An expiring
clutch
at popularity.
Carlyle.
But Age, with his stealing steps,
Hath clawed me in his
clutch
.
Shakespeare
2.
pl.
The hands, claws, or talons, in the act of grasping firmly; – often figuratively, for power, rapacity, or cruelty;
as, to fall into the
clutches
of an adversary
.
I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever more come near the
clutches
of such a giant.
Bp. Stillingfleet.
3.
(Mach.)
A device which is used for coupling shafting, etc., so as to transmit motion, and which may be disengaged at pleasure.
4.
Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.
5.
(Zool.)
The nest complement of eggs of a bird.
Bayonet clutch
(Mach.)
,
a clutch in which connection is made by means of bayonets attached to arms sliding on a feathered shaft. The bayonets slide through holes in a crosshead fastened on the shaft.

Clutch

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Clutched
(klŭcht)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Clutching
.]
[OE.
clucchen
. See
Clutch
,
Noun.
]
1.
To seize, clasp, or grip with the hand, hands, or claws; – often figuratively;
as, to
clutch
power
.
A man may set the poles together in his head, and
clutch
the whole globe at one intellectual grasp.
Collier.
Is this a dagger which I see before me . . . ?
Come, let me
clutch
thee.
Shakespeare
2.
To close tightly; to clinch.
Not that I have the power to
clutch
my hand.
Shakespeare

Clutch

,
Verb.
I.
1.
To reach (at something) as if to grasp; to catch or snatch; – often followed by
at
.
Clutching
at the phantoms of the stock market.
Bankroft.

Webster 1828 Edition

Clutch

CLUTCH

, v.t.
1.
To double in the fingers and pinch or compress them together; to clinch. [If n is not radical in clinch, this may be from the same root.]
2.
To seize, clasp or gripe with the hand; as, to clutch a dagger; to clutch prey.
3.
To seize, or grasp; as, to clutch the globe at a grasp.

CLUTCH

,
Noun.
A griping or pinching with the fingers; seizure; grasp.

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