n.
Pronunciation: ' kl ə ch
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English clucchen, from Old English clyccan
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to grasp or hold with or as if with the hand or claws usually strongly, tightly, or suddenly
2 obsolete : CLENCH
intransitive verb
1 : to seek to grasp and hold < clutch ed at her hand>
2 : to operate an automobile clutch
synonyms see TAKE