Claw Meaning
/klɔ/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA curved, pointed, horny projection on each digit of the foot of a mammal, reptile, or bird.
nounA foot equipped with such.
Sentence Examples
"I cannot claw my owner", said the cat.
Don't let him claw you.
The cat has just stuck its claw in my arm.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry cat extended its sharp ____ to catch the mouse.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The cat tried to ____ the back of the new leather sofa today.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"a narrow base, as the petals of a Rose, where the claw is very short"
— 1857, Asa Gray, First Lessons in Botany and Vegetable Physiology:
"Using her hands like windshield wipers, she tried to flick snow away from her mouth. When she clawed at her chest and neck, the crumbs maddeningly slid back onto her face. She grew claustrophobic."
— 2012, John Branch, “Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek”, in New York Times:
"De Gea was United's hero again within seconds of Hernandez's equaliser, diving to his left to claw away Dirk Kuyt's shot as he got on the end of a superb cross from Stewart Downing."
— 2011 October 15, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 1 - 1 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport:
"I cannot hide what I am: I must be sad when I have cause, and smile at no man's jests; eat when I have stomach, and wait for no man's leisure; sleep when I am drowsy, and tend on no man's business; laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humour."
— 1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene iii]:
"To be ſhort, a wretched and curſed generation they be; hypocrites, pretending friendſhip, but they can not skill of plaine dealing and franke ſpeech. Rich men they claw, ſooth up and flatter: the poore they contemne and despiſe."
— 1603, Plutarch, “Of the Nouriture and Education of Children”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophie, Commonlie Called, The Morals […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield, →OCLC, page 15:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The hungry cat extended its sharp ____ to catch the mouse.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The cat tried to ____ the back of the new leather sofa today.