CLUTCH


Meaning of CLUTCH in English

clutch 1

— clutchingly , adv. — clutchy , adj.

/kluch/ , v.t.

1. to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch: The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.

2. to grip or hold tightly or firmly: She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.

3. Slang. to spellbind; grip a person's emotions, attention, or interest: Garbo movies really clutch me.

v.i.

4. to try to seize or grasp (usually fol. by at ): He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.

5. Slang. to become tense with fright; panic (sometimes fol. by up ): I clutched up on the math exam.

6. to operate the clutch in a vehicle.

n.

7. the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.

8. Usually, clutches . power of disposal or control; mastery: She fell into the clutches of the enemy.

9. the act of clutching; a snatch or grasp.

10. a tight grip or hold.

11. a device for gripping something.

12. Auto. , Mach.

a. a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part. Cf. coupling (def. 2a).

b. a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.

13. Sports. an extremely important or crucial moment of a game: He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.

14. any critical position or situation; emergency: She kept complete control in the clutch.

15. Also called clutch bag, clutch purse . a woman's small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.

adj.

16. done or accomplished in a critical situation: a clutch shot that won the basketball game.

17. dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.

18. (of a coat) without fasteners; held closed in front by one's hand or arm.

[ 1175-1225; ME clucchen, var. of clicchen, OE clyccan to clench ]

Syn. 1. See catch. 2. clench, squeeze, hug.

clutch 2

/kluch/ , n.

1. a hatch of eggs; the number of eggs produced or incubated at one time.

2. a brood of chickens.

3. a number of similar individuals: a clutch of books; a whole clutch of dancers.

v.t.

4. to hatch (chickens).

[ 1715-25; var. of cletch (now dial.); akin to Scots cleck to hatch klekja to hatch ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .