clutches Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of grasping
   grip; clutch; clench; grasp; hold; clasp.
   
   • 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. noun a tense critical situation
   clutch.
   
   • he is a good man in the clutch
3. noun a number of birds hatched at the same time
   clutch.
   
4. noun a collection of things or persons to be handled together
   clutch; batch.
   
5. noun a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
   clutch; clutch bag.
   
6. noun a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
   clutch; clutch pedal.
   
   • he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other
7. noun a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
   clutch.
   
   • this year's model has an improved clutch
8. verb take hold of; grab
   clutch; prehend; seize.
   
   • 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
9. verb hold firmly, usually with one's hands
   hold tight; hold close; cling to; clutch.
   
   • She clutched my arm when she got scared
10. verb affect
    clutch; get hold of; seize.
    
    • Fear seized the prisoners
    • The patient was seized with unbearable pains
    • He was seized with a dreadful disease

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