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cramp

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The definition of a cramp is a very painful and unexpected muscle contraction, or a device used for holding two or more things together.

(noun)

An example of a cramp is the pain that many women feel while menstruating.
An example of a cramp is a clamp that holds two pieces of wood to be attached to each other.

Cramp is defined as to experience a sudden painful muscle contraction, or to fasten two of more things together.

(verb)

An example of cramp is getting a terrible pain in your calf while running a marathon.
An example of cramp is holding two things together with a clamp.

See cramp in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a sudden, painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles from chill, strain, etc.
partial local paralysis, as from excessive use of muscles
abdominal or uterine spasms and pain

Origin: ME crampe < OFr, bent, twisted < Frank *kramp; akin to MDu & MLowG krampe: for IE base see cradle

transitive verb

to cause a cramp or cramps in: often in the passive

noun

a metal bar bent to form a right angle at each end, for holding together blocks of stone, timbers, etc.
also called cramp iron
a device for clasping or fastening things together; a clamp
anything that confines or hampers
a cramped condition or part

Origin: MDu krampe, lit., bent in, hence anything bent in; akin to cramp

transitive verb

to fasten with or as with a cramp
to confine; hamper; restrain
to turn (the front wheels of an automobile, etc.) sharply

adjective

cramped

See cramp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.
A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.
cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

verb cramped, cramp·ing, cramps

verb, transitive

To affect with or as if with a cramp.

verb, intransitive

To suffer from or experience cramps.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English crampe

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , of Germanic origin

noun

A frame with an adjustable part to hold pieces together; a clamp.
A cramp iron.
A compressing or restraining force, influence, or thing.
A confined position or part.

transitive verb cramped, cramp·ing, cramps

To hold together with a cramp.
To shut in so closely as to restrict the physical freedom of: were cramped in the tiny cubicle.
a. To steer (the wheels of a vehicle) to make a turn.
b. To jam (a wheel) by a short turn.

adjective

Cramped.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English crampe

Origin: , probably from Middle Dutch, hook, cramp

Origin: . Adj., probably akin to Icelandic krappr, constrained, tight

Origin: , and Old High German cramf, squeezed

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