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Added 8 October 2026

claw

/klɔ/ noun

In Latin: unguis Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about claw at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Sharp curved horny process on the toe of a bird or some mammals or reptiles.
A mechanical device that is curved or bent to suspend or hold or pull something.
A grasping structure on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods.

verb

Move as if by clawing, seizing, or digging.
They clawed their way to the top of the mountain
Clutch as if in panic.
She clawed the doorknob
Scratch, scrape, pull, or dig with claws or nails.

Origin

From Middle English clawe, from Old English clawu, from Proto-Germanic *klawō. Compare West Frisian klau, Dutch klauw, German Klaue, Danish, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, and Swedish klo.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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