clawed

[ klawd ]

/ klɔd /

adjective

having claws (sometimes used in combination): sharp-clawed.

Origin of clawed

First recorded in 1250–1300, clawed is from the Middle English word claued. See claw, -ed³

OTHER WORDS FROM clawed

un·clawed, adjective

Words nearby clawed

claw hammer, claw hatchet, claw off, claw setting, claw-and-ball foot, clawed, clawhand, clawson, claxon, clay, clay court

Definition for clawed (2 of 2)

claw

[ klaw ]

/ klɔ /

noun

a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.

a similar curved process at the end of the leg of an insect.

the pincerlike extremity of specific limbs of certain arthropods: lobster claws.

any part or thing resembling a claw, as the cleft end of the head of a hammer.

Typography. the hooklike projection from the right side of an r or from the bowl of a g.

(in a motion-picture mechanism) a device having one or two teeth that hook into the perforations of a length of film and move it one frame at a time at any given speed.

Jewelry. one of a group of slender, tapering metal projections rising from the base of a jewelry setting, used to hold a transparent or faceted gemstone in position. Compare prong(def 4).

verb (used with object)

to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws: The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.

to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws: to claw a hole in the earth.

to proceed by or as if by using the hands: He clawed his way through the crowd.

verb (used without object)

to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws: The cat clawed and hissed in fear.

to make fumbling motions: He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.

Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.

Origin of claw

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English clawu; cognate with Old High German chlō(a), akin to Dutch klauw, German Klaue; (v.) Middle English clawen, Old English claw(i)an, derivative of clawu (noun); akin to Dutch klauwen, German klauen

OTHER WORDS FROM claw

claw·er, noun claw·less, adjective de·claw, verb (used with object)

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH claw

clause claws

Example sentences from the Web for clawed

For every age, there have been subjugated people who have clawed for freedom and dignity.

The Werewolf Novel as Post-9/11 Political Allegory? |Roxane Gay |May 16, 2013 |DAILY BEAST
They clawed their way to the top, inch by inch, not letting anything stand in their way.

Candy Crowley, Martha Raddatz: Female Moderators Rocked the Boat in Debates |Lauren Ashburn |October 24, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
Even Bob Dole clawed his way into a positive territory after the 1996 Republican fete in San Diego (32-29).

Why Mitt Romney Has the Worst Favorability Ratings in Memory |Andrew Romano |September 6, 2012 |DAILY BEAST
The clawed back wages will barely dent the $5.8 billion loss—but they send a message.

JPMorgan Chase Earnings: CEO Jamie Dimon Comes Clean |Alex Klein |July 13, 2012 |DAILY BEAST

Lieberman could not have clawed his way to victory without strong backing from Republicans.

Joe Lieberman Retiring From the Senate |Howard Kurtz |January 18, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
He pulled himself jerkily erect and clawed the edge of the bar.

Prairie Flowers |James B. Hendryx
Blondel's hands flew out and clawed the air as if he had the Paduan before him, and would tear it from him.

The Long Night |Stanley Weyman
Vorongil flexed his clawed hands nervously, stretching and retracting them.

The Colors of Space |Marion Zimmer Bradley
But he clawed blindly, with animal instinct, at the hands closing on his throat.

The Cartels Jungle |Irving E. Cox, Jr.
But she just clawed his pocket and burrowed and kep' yelling, 'Give him the stone, Augustus!'

The Virginian |Owen Wister

British Dictionary definitions for clawed

claw

/ (klɔː) /

noun

a curved pointed horny process on the end of each digit in birds, some reptiles, and certain mammals

a corresponding structure in some invertebrates, such as the pincer of a crab

a part or member like a claw in function or appearance

botany the narrow basal part of certain petals and sepals

verb

to scrape, tear, or dig (something or someone) with claws, etc

(tr) to create by scratching as with claws to claw an opening

Derived forms of claw

clawer, noun clawless, adjective

Word Origin for claw

Old English clawu; related to Old High German kluwi, Sanskrit glau- ball, sphere

Scientific definitions for clawed

claw

[ klô ]

A sharp, curved nail at the end of a toe of a mammal, reptile, or bird.

A pincer, as of a lobster or crab, used for grasping.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

clawed

adjective

Origin of clawed

OTHER WORDS FROM clawed

Words nearby clawed

Definition for clawed (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of claw

OTHER WORDS FROM claw

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH claw

Example sentences from the Web for clawed

British Dictionary definitions for clawed

noun

verb

Derived forms of claw

Word Origin for claw

Scientific definitions for clawed

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

clawed

adjective

Origin of clawed

OTHER WORDS FROM clawed

Words nearby clawed

Definition for clawed (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

Origin of claw

OTHER WORDS FROM claw

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH claw

Words related to clawed

Example sentences from the Web for clawed

British Dictionary definitions for clawed

noun

verb

Derived forms of claw

Word Origin for claw

Scientific definitions for clawed