n.
- a curved, pointed horny nail on each digit of the foot in birds, lizards, and some mammals.
▸either of a pair of small hooked appendages on an insect's foot.
- the pincer of a crab, scorpion, or other arthropod.
- a mechanical device resembling a claw, used for gripping or lifting.
v.
-
(usu. claw at)
scratch or tear at with the claws or fingernails.
▸clutch at with the hands.
-
(claw something back)
regain money, power, etc. laboriously and gradually.
- (of a sailing ship) beat to windward.
Derivative
- -clawed adj.
- clawless adj.
Etymology
OE clawu (n.), clawian (v.), of W. Gmc origin.