SuaviloquyToday’s word

clasp

Clasp, n.

1. An adjustable catch, bent plate, or hook, for holding together two objects or the parts of anything, as the ends of a belt, the covers of a book, etc.

2. A close embrace; a throwing of the arms around; a grasping, as with the hand. Clasp knife, a large knife, the blade of which folds or shuts into the handle. -- Clasp lock, a lock which closes or secures itself by means of a spring.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Clasp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clasped; p. pr. & vb. n. Clasping]

1. To shut or fasten together with, or as with, a clasp; to shut or fasten (a clasp, or that which fastens with a clasp).

2. To inclose and hold in the hand or with the arms; to grasp; to embrace.

3. To surround and cling to; to entwine about. "Clasping ivy." Milton.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for clasp; he lists it under catch, lock.

Where he writes about it:

We clasp in the arms. — from catch
A clasp is a fastening that can be sprung into place, to draw and hold the parts of some enclosing object firmly together, as the clasp of a book. — from lock

Synonyms

catchlockapprehendbarboltcaptureclutchcomprehenddiscoverensnareentrapfasteninggraspgripgripehasphooklatchlay hold ofovertakesecureseizesnatchtaketake hold of

Antonyms

fail offall short ofgive uplet golosemissreleaserestorethrow asidethrow away

etymologyWebster’s online