Main Entry:

¹claw

Pronunciation:

\ˈklȯ\

Function:

noun

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English clawe, from Old English clawu hoof, claw; akin to Old Norse klō claw, and probably to Old English cliewen ball — more at clew

Date:

before 12th century

1: a sharp usually slender and curved nail on the toe of an animal2: any of various sharp curved processes especially at the end of a limb (as of an insect) ; also : a limb ending in such a process3: one of the pincerlike organs terminating some limbs of various arthropods (as a lobster or scorpion)4: something that resembles a claw ; specifically : the forked end of a tool (as a hammer)

— clawed \ˈklȯd\ adjective

— claw·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective