clutch (
http://definr.com/clutch)
n 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" [syn:
clasp,
clench,
clutches,
grasp,
grip,
hold]
2: a tense critical situation; "he is a good man in the clutch"
3: a number of birds hatched at the same time
4: a collection of things or persons to be handled together
[syn:
batch]
5: a pedal that operates a clutch [syn:
clutch pedal]
6: a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven
parts of a driving mechanism
v 1: take hold of; grab; "The salesclerk 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" [syn:
seize,
prehend]
2: hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm
when she got scared" [syn:
cling to,
hold close, {hold
tight}]
3: affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized
with unberable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful
disease" [syn:
seize,
get hold of]