Nearby Words

clutch-purse

Origin

clutch bag

noun
clutch (def. 15).
Also called clutch purse.


Origin:
1945–50

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Clutch-purse is always a great word to know.
So is gobo. Does it mean:
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Dictionary.com Unabridged

clutch

1[kluhch]
verb (used with object)
1.
to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch: The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.
2.
to grip or hold tightly or firmly: She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.
3.
Slang. to spellbind; grip a person's emotions, attention, or interest: Garbo movies really clutch me.
verb (used without object)
4.
to try to seize or grasp (usually followed by at): He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.
5.
Slang. to become tense with fright; panic (sometimes followed by up): I clutched up on the math exam.
6.
to operate the clutch in a vehicle.
noun
7.
the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.
8.
Usually, clutches. power of disposal or control; mastery: She fell into the clutches of the enemy.
9.
the act of clutching; a snatch or grasp.
10.
a tight grip or hold.
11.
a device for gripping something.
EXPAND
12.
Automotive, Machinery.
a.
a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part. Compare coupling (def. 2a).
b.
a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.
13.
Sports. an extremely important or crucial moment of a game: He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.
14.
any critical position or situation; emergency: She kept complete control in the clutch.
15.
Also called clutch bag, clutch purse. a woman's small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.
COLLAPSE
adjective
16.
done or accomplished in a critical situation: a clutch shot that won the basketball game.
17.
dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.
18.
(of a coat) without fasteners; held closed in front by one's hand or arm.

Origin:
1175–1225; Middle English clucchen, variant of clicchen, Old English clyccan to clench

clutch·ing·ly, adverb
clutch·y, adjective


1. See catch. 2. clench, squeeze, hug.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source Link To clutch-purse
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

clutch
of chickens, eggs, 1721, from clekken "to hatch," probably from a Scand. source (cf. O.N. klekja "to hatch").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary

clutch (up) definition


  1. in.
    to become very tense and anxious; to freeze with anxiety. : I have been known to clutch up before a race.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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