CLASP

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does clasp mean? 

• CLASP (noun)
  The noun CLASP has 2 senses:

1. a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together

2. the act of grasping

  Familiarity information: CLASP used as a noun is rare.

• CLASP (verb)
  The verb CLASP has 4 senses:

1. hold firmly and tightly

2. fasten with or as if with a brooch

3. fasten with a buckle or buckles

4. grasp firmly

  Familiarity information: CLASP used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CLASP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("clasp" is a kind of...):

fastener; fastening; fixing; holdfast (restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place)

Holonyms ("clasp" is a part of...):

bag; handbag; pocketbook; purse (a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women))

bangle; bracelet (jewelry worn around the wrist for decoration)

Derivation:

clasp (fasten with a buckle or buckles)

clasp (fasten with or as if with a brooch)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of grasping

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

clasp; clench; clutch; clutches; grasp; grip; hold

Context example:

she kept a firm hold on the railing

Hypernyms ("clasp" is a kind of...):

grasping; prehension; seizing; taking hold (the act of gripping something firmly with the hands (or the tentacles))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "clasp"):

choke hold; chokehold (a restraining hold; someone loops the arm around the neck of another person in a tight grip, usually from behind)

embrace; embracement; embracing (the act of clasping another person in the arms (as in greeting or affection))

wrestling hold (a hold used in the sport of wrestling)

Derivation:

clasp (hold firmly and tightly)

clasp (grasp firmly)

• CLASP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they clasp    ... he / she / it clasps   
Past simple: clasped   
Past participle: clasped   
-ing form: clasping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Hold firmly and tightly

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "clasp" is one way to...):

grasp; hold on (hold firmly)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "clasp"):

bosom; embrace; hug; squeeze (hold (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Antonym:

unclasp (release from a clasp)

Derivation:

clasp (the act of grasping)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fasten with or as if with a brooch

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

brooch; clasp

Hypernyms (to "clasp" is one way to...):

fasten; fix; secure (cause to be firmly attached)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

clasp (a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Fasten with a buckle or buckles

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

buckle; clasp

Hypernyms (to "clasp" is one way to...):

fasten; fix; secure (cause to be firmly attached)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

clasp (a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Grasp firmly

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Context example:

The child clasped my hands

Hypernyms (to "clasp" is one way to...):

clutch; prehend; seize (take hold of; grab)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Antonym:

unclasp (release from a clasp)

Derivation:

clasp (the act of grasping)

 Context examples 

We looked at each other, and our hands felt their way and clasped.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Suddenly he sprang to his feet, thrust her from him as her arms attempted to clasp him, and retreated backward to the door. He was in a panic.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He sprang from his chair and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and unclasping of his long thin hands.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And, finally, there was this very important piece of evidence which was found clasped in the dead man’s right hand.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I cried, Lucy dear, as Jonathan and the old man clasped hands.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

She clasped hands about knees, rocking back and forth broken-heartedly.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

She clasped her hands and waited for an answer.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The man with the cross was down in an instant on his knees upon the ground, with hands clasped above him and his face shining with hope.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

He sat with a pale, drawn face, his anxious gaze fixed upon Holmes, and his thin hands clasped convulsively together.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“You do me justice, James,” said Lord Avon, clasping the broad, brown hand which the country squire had held out to him.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)