the act of grasping; he released his clasp on my arm; he has a strong grip for an old man; she kept a firm hold on the railing

[ Syn: clasp , clench , clutches , grasp , grip , hold ]

a tense critical situation; he is a good man in the clutch'

a number of birds hatched at the same time

a collection of things or persons to be handled together

[ Syn: batch ]

a womans strapless purse that is carried in the hand

[ Syn: clutch bag ]

a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism; he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other

[ Syn: clutch pedal ]

a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism; this year's model has an improved clutch'

take hold of; grab; The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter; She clutched her purse; The mother seized her child by the arm; Birds of prey often seize small mammals

[ Syn: seize , prehend ]

hold firmly, usually with ones hands; She clutched my arm when she got scared

[ Syn: cling to , hold close , hold tight ]

affect; Fear seized the prisoners; The patient was seized with unbearable pains; He was seized with a dreadful disease

[ Syn: seize , get hold of ]