Definition

1. Noun:

   • A sharp, curved nail on the foot of an animal: A hard, pointed, often curved structure at the end of a toe or finger in birds, some mammals, and reptiles, used for grasping, climbing, or attacking.
   • A similar grasping structure on an arthropod: A pincer-like appendage, such as the chela of a crab, lobster, or scorpion.
   • A mechanical gripping device: A tool or part of a machine shaped like an animal's claw, used for gripping, lifting, or pulling objects.

2. Verb:

   • To scratch, tear, or dig with claws or fingernails: To use claws or nails to scrape, pull, or attack a surface.
   • To clutch or grasp desperately: To seize or hold onto something tightly, as if in panic or with great effort.
   • To make one's way with difficulty: To move forward laboriously, as if using claws to pull oneself along.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The eagle uses its sharp claws to catch fish.
  • The crab raised its claws in defense.
  • The mechanic used a claw tool to remove the nail.

• Verb:

  • The cat clawed at the sofa, damaging the fabric.
  • Frightened, she clawed at the door handle to escape.
  • The climbers clawed their way up the icy cliff face.

Advanced Usage

• "To claw back": To regain something with great effort, often used in financial or political contexts.

  • The company hopes to claw back its market share with the new product.

• "To claw one's way to the top": To achieve a high position through relentless and often difficult struggle.

  • She clawed her way to the top of the corporate ladder.

Variants and Related Words

• Clawed (adj): Having claws.

  • Clawed animals like bears can be dangerous.

• Claw hammer (n): A hammer with one side of the head split and curved for pulling out nails.

  • He used a claw hammer to remove the old board.

Synonyms

• Noun: Talon, nail, pincer, hook.
• Verb: Scratch, scrape, dig, clutch, scrabble.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Claw at: To scratch or tear at something repeatedly.

  • The prisoner clawed at the walls of his cell.

• Claw off (Nautical): To sail to windward, away from a lee shore or danger.

  • The captain ordered the crew to claw off the rocky coast.

Related Idioms

• To draw in one's claws: To become less aggressive or critical; to adopt a milder attitude.

  • After the criticism, the journalist drew in his claws for his next article.

• To pare/cut someone's claws: To reduce someone's power or ability to cause harm.

  • The new regulations are designed to cut the claws of the monopolies.

Noun

1. a bird's foot
2. a grasping structure on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods
3. a mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something
4. sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles

Verb

1. attack as if with claws
   • The politician clawed his rival
2. scratch, scrape, pull, or dig with claws or nails
3. clutch as if in panic
   • She clawed the doorknob
4. move as if by clawing, seizing, or digging
   • They clawed their way to the top of the mountain