Clutch
WordNet
noun
(1) 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"
(2) A coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
"This year's model has an improved clutch"
(3) 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"
(4) A woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
(5) A collection of things or persons to be handled together
(6) A number of birds hatched at the same time
(7) A tense critical situation
"He is a good man in the clutch"
verb
(8) Affect
"Fear seized the prisoners"
"The patient was seized with unbearable pains"
"He was seized with a dreadful disease"
(9) 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"
(10) Hold firmly, usually with one's hands
"She clutched my arm when she got scared"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used between engine and gearbox in a car.
- The pedal in a car that disengages power transmission.
- A hand or claw, when it is grasping something firmly.
- A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.
- A group or bunch, especially of eggs or baby birds.
- An important or critical situation.