/ klæmp; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
clamp A to B | clamp A and B (together) to hold sth tightly, or fasten two things together, with a clamp :
[ vn ]
Clamp one end of the plank to the edge of the table.
Clamp the two halves together until the glue dries.
[also vn - adj ]
2.
[+ adv. / prep. ] to hold or fasten sth very tightly so that it does not move; to be held tightly :
[ vn ]
He had a cigar clamped between his teeth.
She clamped a pair of headphones over her ears.
I clamped a hand on his shoulder.
[ v ]
Her lips clamped tightly together.
3.
[ vn ] [ often passive ] ( BrE ) to fix a clamp to a car's wheel so that the car cannot be driven away
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PHRASAL VERBS
- clamp down (on sb/sth)
- clamp sth on sb
■ noun
1.
a tool for holding things tightly together, usually by means of a screw
2.
(also ˈwheel clamp ) (both BrE ) ( US ˌDenver ˈboot , boot ) a device that is attached to the wheel of a car that has been parked illegally, so that it cannot be driven away
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : probably of Dutch or Low German origin and related to clam .