clutch: Meaning and Definition of
clutch
Pronunciation: (kluch), [key]
— v.t.
- to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch: The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.
- to grip or hold tightly or firmly: She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.
- to spellbind; grip a person's emotions, attention, or interest: Garbo movies really clutch me.
—v.i.
- to try to seize or grasp (usually fol. by at): He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.
- to become tense with fright; panic (sometimes fol. by up): I clutched up on the math exam.
- to operate the clutch in a vehicle.
—n.
- the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.
- Usually,power of disposal or control; mastery: She fell into the clutches of the enemy.
- the act of clutching; a snatch or grasp.
- a tight grip or hold.
- a device for gripping something.
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- a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part. Cf. coupling (def. 2a).
- a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.
- an extremely important or crucial moment of a game: He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.
- any critical position or situation; emergency: She kept complete control in the clutch.
- Also calleda woman's small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.
—adj.
- done or accomplished in a critical situation: a clutch shot that won the basketball game.
- dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.
- (of a coat) without fasteners; held closed in front by one's hand or arm.
clutch
Pronunciation: (kluch), [key]
— n.
- a hatch of eggs; the number of eggs produced or incubated at one time.
- a brood of chickens.
- a number of similar individuals: a clutch of books; a whole clutch of dancers.
—v.t.
- to hatch (chickens).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.