1. n. & v.
--n.
1. a device, esp. a brace or band of iron etc., for strengthening other materials or holding things together.
2 a device for immobilizing an illegally parked car.
--v.tr.
1. strengthen or fasten with a clamp.
2 place or hold firmly.
3 immobilize (an illegally parked car) by fixing a clamp to one of its wheels.
Phrases and idioms:
clamp down
1. (often foll. by on) be rigid in enforcing a rule etc.
2 (foll. by on) try to suppress. clamp-down n. severe restriction or suppression.
Etymology: ME prob. f. MDu., MLG klamp(e) 2. n.1 a heap of potatoes or other root vegetables stored under straw or earth.
2 a pile of bricks for burning.
3 a pile of turf or peat or garden rubbish etc.
Etymology: 16th c.: prob. f. Du. klamp heap (in sense 2 related to CLUMP)