4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Clutch  \Clutch\  (kl[u^]ch;  224),  n.  [OE.  cloche,  cloke,  claw, 
  Scot.  clook,  cleuck,  also  OE  cleche  claw,  clechen,  cleken 
  to  seize;  cf  AS  gel[ae]ccan  (where  ge-  is  a  prefix)  to 
  seize.  Cf  {Latch}  a  catch.] 
  1.  A  gripe  or  clinching  with  or  as  with  the  fingers  or 
  claws;  seizure;  grasp.  ``The  clutch  of  poverty.'' 
  --Cowper. 
 
  An  expiring  clutch  at  popularity.  --Carlyle. 
 
  But  Age,  with  his  stealing  steps,  Hath  clawed  me  in 
  his  clutch.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  pl  The  hands,  claws,  or  talons,  in  the  act  of  grasping 
  firmly;  --  often  figuratively,  for  power,  rapacity,  or 
  cruelty;  as  to  fall  into  the  clutches  of  an  adversary. 
 
  I  must  have  .  .  .  little  care  of  myself,  if  I  ever 
  more  come  near  the  clutches  of  such  a  giant.  --Bp. 
  Stillingfleet 
 
  3.  (Mach.)  A  device  which  is  used  for  coupling  shafting, 
  etc.,  so  as  to  transmit  motion,  and  which  may  be 
  disengaged  at  pleasure. 
 
  4.  Any  device  for  gripping  an  object,  as  at  the  end  of  a 
  chain  or  tackle. 
 
  5.  (Zo["o]l.)  The  nest  complement  of  eggs  of  a  bird. 
 
  {Bayonet  clutch}  (Mach.),  a  clutch  in  which  connection  is 
  made  by  means  of  bayonets  attached  to  arms  sliding  on  a 
  feathered  shaft.  The  bayonets  slide  through  holes  in  a 
  crosshead  fastened  on  the  shaft. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Clutch  \Clutch\,  v.  i. 
  To  reach  (at  something)  as  if  to  grasp;  to  catch  or  snatch; 
  --  often  followed  by  at 
 
  Clutching  at  the  phantoms  of  the  stock  market. 
  --Bankroft. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Clutch  \Clutch\,  v.  t.  [imp.  &  p.  p.  {Clutched};  p.  pr  &  vb  n. 
  {Clutching}.]  [OE.  clucchen  See  {Clutch},  n.] 
  1.  To  seize,  clasp,  or  gripe  with  the  hand,  hands,  or  claws; 
  --  often  figuratively;  as  to  clutch  power. 
 
  A  man  may  set  the  poles  together  in  his  head,  and 
  clutch  the  whole  globe  at  one  intellectual  grasp. 
  --Collier. 
 
  Is  this  a  dagger  which  I  see  before  me  .  .  .  ?  Come 
  let  me  clutch  thee.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  To  close  tightly;  to  clinch. 
 
  Not  that  I  have  the  power  to  clutch  my  hand.  --Shak. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  clutch 
  n  1:  the  act  of  grasping;  "he  released  his  clasp  on  my  arm";  "he 
  has  a  strong  grip  for  an  old  man";  "she  kept  a  firm  hold 
  on  the  railing"  [syn:  {clasp},  {clench},  {clutches},  {grasp}, 
  {grip},  {hold}] 
  2:  a  tense  critical  situation;  "he  is  a  good  man  in  the  clutch" 
  3:  a  number  of  birds  hatched  at  the  same  time 
  4:  a  collection  of  things  or  persons  to  be  handled  together 
  [syn:  {batch}] 
  5:  operates  a  clutch  [syn:  {clutch  pedal}] 
  6:  connects  or  disconnects  driving  and  driven  parts  of  a 
  driving  mechanism 
  v  1:  take  hold  of  also  metaphorically:  "Fear  seized  the 
  prisoners"  [syn:  {seize},  {prehend}] 
  2:  hold  firmly,  usually  with  one's  hands;  "She  clutched  my  arm 
  when  she  got  scared"  [syn:  {cling  to},  {hold  close},  {hold 
  tight}] 

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