clutch

Noun

• a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
  • this year's model has an improved clutch
    

• a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
  • he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other
    

• a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand

• a collection of things or persons to be handled together

• a number of birds hatched at the same time

• a tense critical situation
  • he is a good man in the clutch
    

• the act of grasping
  • he released his clasp on my arm
    
  • he has a strong grip for an old man
    
  • she kept a firm hold on the railing
    

Verb

• affect
  • Fear seized the prisoners
    
  • The patient was seized with unbearable pains
    
  • He was seized with a dreadful disease
    

• hold firmly, usually with one's hands
  • She clutched my arm when she got scared
    

• take hold of; grab
  • The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
    
  • She clutched her purse
    
  • The mother seized her child by the arm
    
  • Birds of prey often seize small mammals
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  clutch pedal , clutch bag , batch , clasp , clench , clutches , grasp , grip , hold , seize , get hold of , cling to , hold close , hold tight , prehend