claw

American  

[klaw] / klɔ /

noun

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws.

   The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.

2. to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws.

   to claw a hole in the earth.

3. to proceed by or as if by using the hands.

   He clawed his way through the crowd.

verb (used without object)

1. to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws.

   The cat clawed and hissed in fear.

2. to make fumbling motions.

   He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.

3. Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.

verb phrase

1. claw back. clawback.

claw British  

/ klɔː /

noun

1. a curved pointed horny process on the end of each digit in birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals

2. a corresponding structure in some invertebrates, such as the pincer of a crab

3. a part or member like a claw in function or appearance

4. botany the narrow basal part of certain petals and sepals

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verb

1. to scrape, tear, or dig (something or someone) with claws, etc

2. (tr) to create by scratching as with claws

   to claw an opening

claw Scientific  

/ klô /

1. A sharp, curved nail at the end of a toe of a mammal, reptile, or bird.

2. A pincer, as of a lobster or crab, used for grasping.

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Other Word Forms

• clawer noun
• clawless adjective
• declaw verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of claw

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

Example Sentences

Remember, if your daughter’s marriage breaks down, there’s no clawing back that gift.

From MarketWatch

But over the course of the fourth quarter, as Oregon clawed its way back, the Trojans tightened up.

From Los Angeles Times

Rebel factions have pledged to block the vote from the enclaves they control, and the junta has admitted the vote cannot be held nationwide, but is waging offensives in a bid to claw back ground.

From Barron's

Players can lose all their market share in one year, however, though they can claw back if they make a shrewd investment and it pays off.

From The Wall Street Journal

Paws need claws: Declawing a cat in California is now illegal unless the surgery is medically necessary.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fingernail
• paw
• tentacle