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Clasp
Definitions
- 1 A device with interlocking parts used for fastening things together, such as a fastener or a holder. countable
"I always have a hard time working the clasp on this necklace!"
- 2 the act of grasping wordnet
- 3 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. countable
- 4 a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together wordnet
- 5 An embrace, a grasp, or handshake. uncountable
"He took her hand in a firm clasp."
- 1 To take hold of; to grasp. transitive
"They clasped hands and parted as friends."
- 2 hold firmly and tightly wordnet
- 3 To shut or fasten together with, or as if with, a clasp. transitive
- 4 grasp firmly wordnet
- 5 To cling. intransitive, obsolete, rare
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- 6 fasten with a buckle or buckles wordnet
- 7 fasten with or as if with a brooch wordnet
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”). Compare hasp, of very similar meaning but older known provenance.
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”). Compare hasp, of very similar meaning but older known provenance.
See also for "clasp"
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