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cramp¹

(krămp)

1. An involuntary, spasmodic muscle contraction causing severe pain.

2. A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.

3. cramps Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.

v. cramped, cramp·ing, cramps

v.tr.

To affect with or as if with a cramp.

v.intr.

To suffer from or experience cramps.

[Middle English crampe, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]

cramp²

(krămp)

1. A frame with an adjustable part to hold pieces together; a clamp.

2. A cramp iron.

3. A compressing or restraining force, influence, or thing.

4. A confined position or part.

tr.v. cramped, cramp·ing, cramps

1. To hold together with a cramp.

2. To shut in so closely as to restrict the physical freedom of: were cramped in the tiny cubicle.

a. To steer (the wheels of a vehicle) to make a turn.

b. To jam (a wheel) by a short turn.

adj.

Cramped.

Idiom:

cramp (one's) style

To restrict or prevent from free action or expression.

[Middle English crampe, probably from Middle Dutch, hook, cramp. Adj., probably akin to Icelandic krappr, constrained, tight, and Old High German cramf, squeezed.]

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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