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 ]