Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun the act of grasping.
  • noun control; power; -- used in the phrase in one's clutches. Same as clutch{2}.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Plural form of clutch.
  • noun usually plural Grasp; possession; control.
  • verb Third person singular simple present of to clutch.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun the act of grasping

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word clutches.

Examples

  • How Mary, with the help of a loyal servant, struggled to escape Stoney's clutches is the breathless and inspirational climax of this fine book

    Wedlock: Summary and book reviews of Wedlock by Wendy Moore. 2009

  • I'm just curious - given the environment that we are in, it seems like the repel market and the short-term in general are destiny to continuously run into these short-term clutches.

    unknown title 2011

  • You are the one who will be in clutches if you do that:}

    Poll shows Obama picking up Clinton voters 2008

  • To get his victim into his clutches is a deed of daring and of peril demanding no little praise, upon the principles of the world's "code of honor."

    The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 1 of 4 American Anti-Slavery Society

  • To get his victim into his clutches is a deed of daring and of peril demanding no little praise, upon the principles of the world's "code of honor."

    The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Omnibus American Anti-Slavery Society

  • In pretty much the same way that the Berlin wall was a one-way route (i.e. out of E. Germany and into the West) I don't think I've ever heard of desperate Israeli Arab citizens trying to smuggle themselves through the tunnels and/or over the wall in order to get into Gaza/West Bank and out of the 'clutches' of Israel.

    On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with... 2009

  • Keen-eyed officers detect the mutton-bones which tell of unauthorised ovicide, and "clutches" of geese and chickens vanish as if by magic.

    Disturbed Ireland Being the Letters Written During the Winter of 1880-81. Bernard H. Becker

  • He never arrived in time to rescue Caroline from "clutches"; nor did he even marry her.

    Tales of the Jazz Age 1918

  • Larger frames: Stick to medium-sized accessories such as clutches and totes in bright colours.

    Stuff.co.nz - Stuff By GLYNIS TRAILL-NASH 2010

  • SILIGURI, 11 SEPT: With the curtain dropping on a most vituperative campaigning trail in the electoral history of the Siliguri Municipal Corporation, the parties across the SILIGURI, 26 AUG: The Congress and the Trinamul Congress are taking the Siliguri Municipal time and would spare no pains to try and wrest the civic board from the 'clutches' of the

    WN.com - Articles related to Three people in a car tried to kill me: Mamata Banerjee 2009

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.