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clamp

(klămp)

1. Any of various devices used to join, grip, support, or compress mechanical or structural parts.

2. Any of various tools with opposing, often adjustable sides or parts for bracing objects or holding them together.

tr.v. clamped, clamp·ing, clamps

1. To fasten, grip, or support with or as if with a clamp.

2. To establish by authority; impose: clamped a tax on imports.

Phrasal Verb:

clamp down

To become more strict or repressive; impose controls: clamping down on environment polluters.

[Middle English, from Middle Dutch klampe.]

(click for a larger image)

clamp

top: parallel clamp

bottom: C-clamp

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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