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Definitions for Claw

[1] a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.
[2] a similar curved process at the end of the leg of an insect.
[3] the pincerlike extremity of specific limbs of certain arthropods: lobster claws.
[4] any part or thing resembling a claw, as the cleft end of the head of a hammer.
[5] Typography . the hooklike projection from the right side of an r or from the bowl of a g.
[6] (in a motion-picture mechanism) a device having one or two teeth that hook into the perforations of a length of film and move it one frame at a time at any given speed.
[7] Jewelry . one of a group of slender, tapering metal projections rising from the base of a jewelry setting, used to hold a transparent or faceted gemstone in position. Compare prong(def 4) .
[8] to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws: The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.
[9] to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws: to claw a hole in the earth.
[10] to proceed by or as if by using the hands: He clawed his way through the crowd.
[11] to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws: The cat clawed and hissed in fear.
[12] to make fumbling motions: He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.
[13] Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.
[14] a curved pointed horny process on the end of each digit in birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals
[15] a corresponding structure in some invertebrates, such as the pincer of a crab
[16] a part or member like a claw in function or appearance
[17] botany the narrow basal part of certain petals and sepals
[18] to scrape, tear, or dig (something or someone) with claws, etc
[19] (tr) to create by scratching as with claws to claw an opening

Words related to Claw

tentacle, paw, fingernail, scratch, dig, rip, talon, nipper, crook, hook, barb, spur, unguis, clapperclaw, fang, manus, grapnel, grappler, itch, tear

Words nearby Claw

claviform, clavipectoral fascia, clavius, clavola, clavus, claw, claw back, claw bar, claw foot, claw hammer, claw hatchet

Origin of Claw

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English clawu; cognate with Old High German chlō(a ), akin to Dutch klauw, German Klaue; (v.) Middle English clawen, Old English claw(i)an, derivative of clawu (noun); akin to Dutch klauwen, German klauen

Words that may be confused with Claw

clause, claws

Other words from Claw

claw·er , noun
claw·less , adjective
de·claw , verb (used with object)

Word origin for Claw

Old English clawu; related to Old High German kluwi, Sanskrit glau- ball, sphere

Synonyms for Claw

fingernail, paw, tentacle, barb, clapperclaw, crook, fang, grapnel, grappler, hook, manus, nipper, pincer, spur, talon, unguis, cant hook, nail claw, retractile, ungula