clasp
Plural: clasps
Noun
- a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together
- the act of grasping
- "he released his clasp on my arm"
- A device with interlocking parts used for fastening things together, such as a fastener or a holder.
- A bar or insignia on a medal ribbon, to either indicate an additional award of the medal, or the action or service for which it was awarded.
- An embrace, a grasp, or handshake.
Verb
Verb Forms: clasped, claspt, clasping, clasps
- To grasp or embrace tightly.
- hold firmly and tightly
- fasten with or as if with a brooch
- fasten with a buckle or buckles
- grasp firmly
- "The child clasped my hands"
- To take hold of; to grasp.
- To shut or fasten together with, or as if with, a clasp.
- To cling.
Examples
- He took her hand in a firm clasp.
- I always have a hard time working the clasp on this necklace!
- She would CLASP her Scrabble tiles tightly, guarding her secret word.
- They clasped hands and parted as friends.
Origin / Etymology
Noun dated ca. 1300 and verb dated ca. 1400; from Middle English claspe (“metal catch or hook used to hold things together”), possible metathesis of clapse, which comes from or related to Old English clyppan (“clasp”) (also see clip (verb)). Related to English enclasp (“embrace, hold tightly in one's arms”).
Synonyms
brooch, buckle, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, grip, hold, attach, beclasp, begrip, join, put together
Scrabble Score: 9
clasp: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Wordclasp: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
clasp: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary