I. ˈklȯ noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English clawe, from Old English clawu hoof, claw; akin to Old Norse klō claw, and probably to Old English cliewen ball — more at clew
Date: before 12th century
1. : a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal
2. : any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect) ; also : a limb ending in such a process
3. : one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion)
4. : something that resembles a claw ; specifically : the forked end of a tool (as a hammer)
• clawed ˈklȯd adjective
• claw·like -ˌlīk adjective
II. verb
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
: to rake, seize, dig, or progress with or as if with claws
intransitive verb
: to scrape, scratch, dig, or pull with or as if with claws