claw
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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English[edit]
Etymology 1[edit]
From Middle English clawe, from Old English clawu, from Proto-Germanic *klawō. Compare West Frisian klau, Dutch klauw, German Klaue, Danish klo.
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
claw (plural claws)
- A curved, pointed horny nail on each digit of the foot of a mammal, reptile, or bird.
- A foot equipped with such.
- The pincer of a crustacean or other arthropod.
- A mechanical device resembling a claw, used for gripping or lifting.
- (juggling, uncountable) The act of catching a ball overhand.
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
curved horny nail
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pincer of a crustacean
mechanical device for gripping
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External links[edit]
Etymology 2[edit]
From Old English clawian, from clawu.
Verb[edit]
claw (third-person singular simple present claws, present participle clawing, simple past and past participle clawed)
- To scratch or to tear at.
- To use the claws to seize, to grip.
- To use the claws to climb.
- (juggling) To perform a claw catch.
- To move with one's fingertips.
- 2011 October 15, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 1 - 1 Man Utd”, BBC Sport:
- De Gea was United's hero again within seconds of Hernandez's equaliser, diving to his left to claw away Dirk Kuyt's shot as he got on the end of a superb cross from Stewart Downing.
- 2011 October 15, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 1 - 1 Man Utd”, BBC Sport:
- (obsolete) To relieve uneasy feeling, such as an itch, by scratching; hence, to humor or flatter, to court someone.
- 1599, Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 3
- I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man's jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humour.
- 1599, Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, Act 1 Scene 3
Translations[edit]
scratch or tear at
to use claws to seize, to grip