Adjacent Words

Clasp definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

CLASP, n.
1. A hook for fastening; a catch; a small hook to hold together the covers of a book, or the different parts of a garment, of a belt, etc.
2. A close embrace; a throwing of the arms round.
CLASP, v.t.
1. To shut or fasten together with a clasp.
2. To catch and hold by twining; to surround and cling to; as the clasping ivy.
3. To inclose and hold in the hand; or simply to inclose or encompass with the fingers.
4. To embrace closely; to throw the arms round; to catch with the arms.
5. To inclose, and press.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together
2: the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on the railing" [syn: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold] v
1: hold firmly and tightly [ant: unclasp]
2: fasten with or as if with a brooch [syn: brooch, clasp]
3: fasten with a buckle or buckles [syn: buckle, clasp] [ant: unbuckle]
4: grasp firmly; "The child clasped my hands" [ant: unclasp]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English claspe Date: 14th century 1. a. a device (as a hook) for holding objects or parts together b. a device (as a bar) attached to a military medal to indicate an additional award of the medal or the action or service for which it was awarded 2. a holding or enveloping with or as if with the hands or arms II. transitive verb Date: 14th century 1. to fasten with or as if with a clasp <a robe clasped with a brooch> 2. to enclose and hold with the arms; specifically embrace 3. to seize with or as if with the hand ; grasp

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a a device with interlocking parts for fastening. b a buckle or brooch. c a metal fastening on a book-cover. 2 a an embrace; a person's reach. b a grasp or handshake. 3 a bar of silver on a medal-ribbon with the name of the battle etc. at which the wearer was present. --v. 1 tr. fasten with or as with a clasp. 2 tr. a grasp, hold closely. b embrace, encircle. 3 intr. fasten a clasp. Phrases and idioms: clasp hands shake hands with fervour or affection. clasp one's hands interlace one's fingers. clasp-knife a folding knife, usu. with a catch holding the blade when open. Derivatives: clasper n. Etymology: ME: orig. unkn.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Clasp Clasp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clasped; p. pr. & vb. n. Clasping] [OE. claspen, clapsen, prob. akin to E. clap.] 1. To shut or fasten together with, or as with, a clasp; to shut or fasten (a clasp, or that which fastens with a clasp). 2. To inclose and hold in the hand or with the arms; to grasp; to embrace. 3. To surround and cling to; to entwine about. ``Clasping ivy.'' --Milton.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Clasp Clasp, n. 1. An adjustable catch, bent plate, or hook, for holding together two objects or the parts of anything, as the ends of a belt, the covers of a book, etc. 2. A close embrace; a throwing of the arms around; a grasping, as with the hand. Clasp knife, a large knife, the blade of which folds or shuts into the handle. Clasp lock, a lock which closes or secures itself by means of a spring.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(clasps, clasping, clasped) 1. If you clasp someone or something, you hold them tightly in your hands or arms. She clasped the children to her... He paced the corridor, hands clasped behind his back. VERB: V n, V-ed 2. A clasp is a small device that fastens something. ...the clasp of her handbag. N-COUNT: usu with supp

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. v. a. 1. Fasten with a clasp. 2. Grasp, grip, clutch, grapple, put the fingers around, lay hold of, fasten upon. 3. Embrace, hug, fold. II. n. 1. Hook, catch. See hasp. 2. Embrace, hug.

Moby Thesaurus

abduct, adhere, adhere to, agglomerate, around, articulate, batten, batten down, bear hug, bite, bolt, bosom, brooch, buckle, bunch, butt, button, carry off, catch, clamp, cleat, cleave, cleave to, clench, clinch, cling, cling to, clinging, clip, close, clot, cluster, clutch, coagulate, cohere, congeal, conglomerate, death grip, dovetail, embosom, embrace, enclose, enfold, enfoldment, envelop, fasten, fastener, fastening, firm hold, fold, follow close upon, foothold, footing, freeze to, go with, grab, grapple, grasp, grip, gripe, grow together, hang about, hang on, hang on to, hang together, hasp, hinge, hitch, hold, hold fast, hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hold together, hook, hover over, huddle, hug, hug the shore, iron grip, jam, joint, keep close to, keep hold of, kidnap, latch, lie by, lock, march with, mass, miter, mortise, nail, never let go, nip, peg, persist, pin, press, purchase, rabbet, rivet, scarf, screw, seizure, set, sew, shanghai, skewer, snap, solidify, squeeze, stand by, staple, stay, stay inshore, stay near, stay put, stick, stick to, stick together, stitch, tack, tailgate, take hold of, tenure, throttle, tight grip, toehold, toggle, wedge, zipper