cramp

¹

[ kramp ]

noun

1. Often cramps.
   1. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.
   2. a piercing pain in the abdomen.
   3. an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.
2. writer's cramp.

verb (used with object)

1. to affect with or as if with a cramp.

cramp

²

[ kramp ]

noun

1. cramp iron.
2. a portable frame or tool with a movable part that can be screwed up to hold things together; clamp.
3. anything that confines or restrains.
4. a cramped state or part.

verb (used with object)

1. to fasten or hold with a cramp.
2. to confine narrowly; restrict; restrain; hamper.
3. to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear; steer.

adjective

1. cramped ².

cramp

¹

/ kræmp /

noun

1. Also calledcramp iron a strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry
2. a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp
3. something that confines or restricts
4. a confined state or position

verb

1. to secure or hold with a cramp
2. to confine, hamper, or restrict
3. cramp someone's style informal.
   to prevent a person from using his abilities or acting freely and confidently

cramp

²

/ kræmp /

noun

1. a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill
2. temporary partial paralysis of a muscle group

   writer's cramp

3. usually plural in the US and Canada severe abdominal pain

verb

1. tr to affect with or as if with a cramp

Other Words From

• cramping·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cramp¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English crampe, from Old French, from Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of an adjective meaning “narrow, constrained, bent”; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp ¹

Origin of cramp²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English crampe, crompe, from Middle Dutch; cramp ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cramp¹

C15: from Middle Dutch crampe cramp, hook, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German khramph bent; see cramp ¹

Origin of cramp²

C14: from Old French crampe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krampho

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. cramp one's style, Informal. to prevent one from showing one's best abilities.

Example Sentences

And squeezing his NBA-sized body into a dragster cockpit traditionally built for someone a third his size has left him with bruises on his hips, cramps in his legs and regular visits to the chiropractor.

From Los Angeles Times

While waiting for the D&C procedure, Shelley started experiencing cramps at home and went to A&E.

From BBC

It has outgrown its current base, which is rather cramped and struggles to accommodate its members on the one day a week it has access to premises at the Otley Courthouse arts centre.

From BBC

The first hospital diagnosed her with strep throat without investigating her sharp abdominal cramps.

From Salon

Instead, the couple rents a cramped back house in Pasadena, with little prospect that they will ever be able to stop working.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• clog
• constrain
• hamper
• hinder
• restrain
• shackle