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cramp1 definition

cramp (kramp)

noun

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

Etymology: 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
cramp2 definition

cramp (kramp)

noun

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

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

transitive verb

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

adjective

cramp Idioms

cramp someone's style

Slang to hamper someone's usual skill or confidence in doing something

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
cramp Synonyms

cramp

n.

  1. A painful muscle contraction

    spasm, crick, pang, charley horse*; see pain 2.

  2. An obstruction

    encumbrance, hindrance, restriction; see impediment 1.


cramp

v.

  1. To restrain

    restrict, confine, hamper, obstruct; see hinder, restrain 1.

  2. *To fasten

    clasp, clamp, grip; see fasten 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

cramp Usage Examples

Object

  • pain: Female pelvic organs Symptoms of painful periods Cramping lower abdominal pains are the most common symptom.

Converse of object

  • relieve: She is very tired, rolling her head as if to relieve a cramp in her neck.

Adjective modifier

  • menstrual: During the procedure you may experience some cramps similar to menstrual cramps.

Noun used with modifier

  • stomach: I had stomach cramp from all the food I had just eaten.

Possessives

  • writer: I never associated " writer's cramp " with being left-handed.

Preposition: in

  • leg: Remove footwear and tread water for 2 minutes; simulating cramp in one leg, massage the affected leg with a free hand.
cramp usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

cramp quotes

Razors pain you Rivers are damp; Acids stain you; And drugs cause cramp. Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give; Gas smells awful; You might as well live.

-Parker, Dorothy ne¤  e Rothschild

cramp quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"cramp." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/cramp>

APA Style

cramp. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/cramp

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