declaw
noun
1.
a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.
2.
a similar curved process at the end of the leg of an insect.
3.
the pincerlike extremity of specific limbs of certain arthropods: lobster claws.
4.
any part or thing resembling a claw, as the cleft end of the head of a hammer.
5.
Typography. the hooklike projection from the right side of an r or from the bowl of a g.
6.
(in a motion-picture mechanism) a device having one or two teeth that hook into the perforations of a length of film and move it one frame at a time at any given speed.
7.
Jewelry. one of a group of slender, tapering metal projections rising from the base of a jewelry setting, used to hold a transparent or faceted gemstone in position. Compare prong ( def 4 ).
verb (used with object)
8.
to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws: The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.
9.
to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws: to claw a hole in the earth.
10.
to proceed by or as if by using the hands: He clawed his way through the crowd.
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Declaw
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
verb (used without object)
11.
to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws: The cat clawed and hissed in fear.
12.
to make fumbling motions: He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.
13.
Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.
Origin:
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English clawu; cognate with Old High German chlō(a), akin to Dutch klauw, German Klaue; (v.) Middle English clawen, Old English claw(i)an, derivative of clawu (noun); akin to Dutch klauwen, German klauen
before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English clawu; cognate with Old High German chlō(a), akin to Dutch klauw, German Klaue; (v.) Middle English clawen, Old English claw(i)an, derivative of clawu (noun); akin to Dutch klauwen, German klauen
Related forms
claw·er, noun
claw·less, adjective
de·claw, verb (used with object)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To declaw
Collins
World English Dictionary
claw (klɔː) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a curved pointed horny process on the end of each digit in birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals |
| 2. | a corresponding structure in some invertebrates, such as the pincer of a crab |
| 3. | a part or member like a claw in function or appearance |
| 4. | botany the narrow basal part of certain petals and sepals |
| —vb | |
| 5. | to scrape, tear, or dig (something or someone) with claws, etc |
| 6. | (tr) to create by scratching as with claws: to claw an opening |
| [Old English clawu; related to Old High German kluwi, Sanskrit glau- ball, sphere] | |
| 'clawer | |
| —n | |
| 'clawless | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
claw
O.E. clawu, from P.Gmc. *klawo, from PIE *g(e)l-eu- from base *gel- "to make round, clench." The verb is from O.E. clawian.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
claw  (klô) Pronunciation Key
|
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Nearby Words
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