claw — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A curved, pointed, horny projection on each digit of the foot of a mammal, reptile, or bird.

   Synonyms

   fang

2. A foot equipped with such.

3. The pincer (chela) of a crustacean or other arthropod.

4. A mechanical device resembling a claw, used for gripping or lifting.

5. A human fingernail, particularly one extending well beyond the fingertip.

   Usage

   • Colloquial

6. A slender appendage or process, formed like a claw, such as the base of petals of the pink.

   Examples

   a narrow base, as the petals of a Rose, where the claw is very short

7. The act of catching a ball overhand.

8. A tree with one internal vertex and three leaves.

Verb

1. To scratch or to tear at.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Using her hands like windshield wipers, she tried to flick snow away from her mouth. When she clawed at her chest and neck, the crumbs maddeningly slid back onto her face. She grew claustrophobic.

2. To use the claws to seize, to grip.

3. To use the claws to climb.

4. To perform a claw catch.

5. To move with one's fingertips.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   De Gea was United's hero again within seconds of Hernandez's equaliser, diving to his left to claw away Dirk Kuyt's shot as he got on the end of a superb cross from Stewart Downing.

6. To relieve an uneasy feeling, such as an itch, by scratching (someone or something); hence (figuratively), to flatter or humour (someone); to court, to fawn on.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man's jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humour.

   To be ſhort, a wretched and curſed generation they be; hypocrites, pretending friendſhip, but they can not skill of plaine dealing and franke ſpeech. Rich men they claw, ſooth up and flatter: the poore they contemne and despiſe.

7. To rail at, revile, or scold (someone or something).

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   In the aforesaid preamble, the king fairly claweth the great monasteries, wherein, saith he, religion, thanks be to God, is right well kept and observed; though he claweth them soon after in another acceptation.

8. To do (something) quickly.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Do'n't you remember, Sirrah, ſayes one, hovv vve clavv'd it avvay at ſuch a Place! Yes, ye Damn'd Rogue you, cryes t'other, vvhen you vvere ſo drunk you took your Aunt for the Bavvd.

Noun

1. sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles

   Broader terms

   horny structureunguis

2. a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something

   Synonyms

   hook

   Broader terms

   mechanical device

3. a grasping structure on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods

   Synonyms

   chelanipperpincer

   Broader terms

   extremityappendagemember

4. a bird's foot

   Broader terms

   bird's foot

Verb

1. move as if by clawing, seizing, or digging

   Broader terms

   makework

   Examples

   They clawed their way to the top of the mountain

2. clutch as if in panic

   Broader terms

   seizeprehendclutchtake holdtake hold of

   Examples

   She clawed the doorknob

3. scratch, scrape, pull, or dig with claws or nails

   Broader terms

   scratchscrapescratch up

4. attack as if with claws

   Broader terms

   attackroundassaillash outsnipeassault

   Examples

   The politician clawed his rival