claw
pronunciation
How to pronounce claw in British English:
UK [klɔː]
How to pronounce claw in American English:
US [klɔː]
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- Noun:
- sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles
- a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something
- a structure like a pincer on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods
- a bird's foot that has claws
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- Verb:
- move as if by clawing, seizing, or digging
- clutch as if in panic
- scratch, scrape, pull, or dig with claws or nails
- attack as if with claws
Word Origin
- claw (n.)
- Old English clawu, earlier clea, "claw, talon, iron hook," from Proto-Germanic *klawo (cognates: Old Frisian klawe "claw, hoe," Middle Dutch klouwe, Dutch klauw, Old High German klawa, German Klaue "claw"). Claw-foot in reference to furniture is from 1823; claw-and-ball attested from 1893. Claw-hammer attested from 1769.
- claw (v.)
- Old English clawian "to scratch, claw," from the same root as claw (n.). Related: Clawed; clawing. Compare Dutch klaauwen, Old High German klawan, German klauen. To claw back"regain by great effort" is from 1953; as a noun, an act of this, from 1969.
Example
- 1. Nine british soldiers have died in the operation dubbed panther 's claw .
- 2. In fact , this spider is an entirely new critter-just look at those legs , each ends in a curved , scythelike claw .
- 3. Researchers in australia have discovered that female fiddler crabs rely on the male 's large claw to protect them from other suitors
- 4. Try the bear claw . Drink blueberry tea instead . Take the scenic route home .
- 5. A bear will leave claw marks on trees and even bite the bark sometimes , though this was no bear .