claw

The definition of a claw is a sharp, pointed nail or anything resembling a claw.

(noun)

To claw is to grab or tear using the nails on a hand or foot.

(verb)

An example of claw is a dog trying to climb up its owner leg instead of going into a bath.

See claw in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a sharp, hooked or curved horny structure, or nail, on the foot of a bird and of many reptiles and mammals
a foot with such structures at its end
the pincers, or chela, of a lobster, crab, scorpion, etc., or on the limb of certain insects
anything resembling or regarded as a claw: the claw of a hammer

Origin: ME claue < OE clawu < IE *g(e)l-eu- < base *gel-, to make round, clench (as a fist) > cling, clamp, climb

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to scratch, clutch, pull, dig, or tear with or as with claws

Related Forms:

See claw in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A sharp, curved, horny structure at the end of a toe of a mammal, reptile, or bird.
a. A chela or similar pincerlike structure on the end of a limb of a crustacean or other arthropod.
b. A limb terminating in such a structure.
Something, such as the cleft end of a hammerhead, that resembles a claw.
Botany The narrowed, stalklike basal part of certain petals or sepals.

tr. & intr.v. clawed clawed, claw·ing, claws

To scratch, dig, tear, or pull with or as if with claws.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English clawe

Origin: , from Old English clawu

Related Forms: