clasp en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
- /klasp/ (Northern-England, Scotland)
- /klɑːsp/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /klæsp/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- /klæsp/ (General-American)
Etymology
Noun dated ca. 1300 and verb dated ca. 1400; from Middle English claspe (“metal catch or hook used to hold things together”), possible metathesis of clapse, which comes from or related to Old English clyppan (“clasp”) (also see clip (verb)). Related to English enclasp (“embrace, hold tightly in one's arms”). Compare hasp, of very similar meaning but older known provenance.
Meanings
-
(countable) A device with interlocking parts used for fastening things together, such as a fastener or a holder.
I always have a hard time working the clasp on this necklace!
- (countable) A bar or insignia on a medal ribbon, to either indicate an additional award of the medal, or the action or service for which it was awarded.
-
(uncountable) An embrace, a grasp, or handshake.
How few! yet how they creep / Through my fingers to the deep, / While I weep—while I weep! / O God! can I not grasp / Them with a tighter clasp?
1849 March 31, Edgar Allan Poe, “A Dream Within a Dream”, in The Works of the Late Edgar Allan Poe: […], volumes II (Poems and Miscellanies), New York, N.Y.: J. S. Redfield, […], published 1850, →OCLC, page 40:He took her hand in a firm clasp.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| clasps | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Deriveds
clasp brake · tie clasp · clasp locker · handclasp · clasp lock · clasp-knife · claspless · claspin
Translations (53)
nl greep (fastener or holder) · fa چپراست (fastener or holder) · es abrazo (an embrace, a grasp, or handshake) · ja 締め金 (fastener or holder) · ota چاپراز (fastener or holder) · xcl ճարմանդ (fastener or holder) · la fibula (fastener or holder) · cs svorka (fastener or holder) · mk копец (fastener or holder) · cs stisk (an embrace, a grasp, or handshake) · cmn 鈎環 /钩环 (fastener or holder) · fi haka (fastener or holder) · de Schnalle (fastener or holder) · vi siết chặt (fastener or holder) · nl slot (fastener or holder) · de Spange (fastener or holder) · es manija (fastener or holder) · it fibbia (fastener or holder) · mn горхи (fastener or holder) · pt gancho (fastener or holder) · es corchete (fastener or holder) · fr fermoir (fastener or holder) · bg закопчалка (fastener or holder) · gl fibela (fastener or holder) · pl klamra (fastener or holder) · fa چپراس (fastener or holder) · ru застёжка (fastener or holder) · de Klammer (fastener or holder) · cmn 扣子 (fastener or holder) · es broche (fastener or holder) · es hebilla (fastener or holder) · gl broche (fastener or holder) · es gafete (fastener or holder) · nl knip (fastener or holder) · io agrafo (fastener or holder) · nl schakel (fastener or holder) · ja 留め金 (fastener or holder) · pdt Schnal (fastener or holder) · bg тока (fastener or holder) · cs sevření (an embrace, a grasp, or handshake) · xcl շիգղ (fastener or holder) · bg хватка (an embrace, a grasp, or handshake) · de Verschluss (fastener or holder) · ja クラスプ (fastener or holder) · nl gesp (fastener or holder) · cs spona (fastener or holder) · de Griff (an embrace, a grasp, or handshake) · it fermaglio (fastener or holder) · eo agrafo (fastener or holder) · nl haak (fastener or holder) · hy ճարմանդ (fastener or holder) · nl kram (fastener or holder) · it gancio (fastener or holder)