n. & v.
--n.
1. a a pointed horny nail on an animal's or bird's foot. b a foot armed with claws.
2 the pincers of a shellfish.
3 a device for grappling, holding, etc.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. scratch, maul, or pull (a person or thing) with claws.
2 tr. & intr. Sc. scratch gently.
3 intr. Naut. beat to windward.
Phrases and idioms:
claw back
1. regain laboriously or gradually.
2 recover (money paid out) from another source (e.g. taxation).
claw-back n.
1. the act of clawing back.
2 money recovered in this way. claw-hammer a hammer with one side of the head forked for extracting nails.
Derivatives:
clawed adj. (also in comb.). clawer n. clawless adj.
Etymology: OE clawu, clawian