Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

clasper

noun clasp·er \ ˈklas-pər \
See What's Trending Now See More Trending Words

Definition of clasper

: a male copulatory structure:
a : one of a pair of external anal processes of an insect that are used to grasp a female
b : one of a pair of organs that are extensions of the pelvic fins of cartilaginous fishes

Recent Examples of clasper from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'clasper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of clasper

circa 1847

Learn More about clasper

  1. See words that rhyme with clasper Britannica English: Translation of clasper for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up clasper? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

play

without deliberation, pause, or delay

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. lowlife 'a person of low moral character'

  2. kakistocracy 'government by the worst people'

  3. slimeball 'a morally repulsive or odious person'

  4. salacious 'arousing or appealing to sexual desire'

  5. oligarch 'government in which a small group exercises control'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

clasper

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

  • cats-on-impossible-timber
  • The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

alt-5ad77fad37d22
What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix?’

We can thank Beetle Bailey.

alt-5ad76a1542e73
'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

alt-5ad635a571736
A Brief History of 'Potshot'

Duck, or you might be dinner

alt-5ad5fb45b0494
What Is a 'Thirst Trap'?

A tall drink of water

Ask the Editors

image1760257654
2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066
Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally
Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her
Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

cats-on-impossible-timber
More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz
name-that-thing-toys-and-games-edition
Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition

It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.

Take the quiz
True or False
True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz
Bee Cubed
Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

Play the game