See Also: claw(2)(dictionary)
claw(medicine)
claw(1)(dictionary)
dew-claw(dictionary)
claw 1, noun(dictionary)
bear claw(dictionary)
Claw - Archery(gambling)
wolf's-claw(medicine)
claw 2, verb(dictionary)
lobster-claw deformity(medicine)

claw(2) (iou)



claw verb.
[Old English clawian, from CLAW noun1.]
verb trans. Scratch or tear with or as with claws. OE.
verb trans. & intrans. Scratch gently, so as to relieve itching or soothe. Now Scot. ME.
claw the back of (now dial.) flatter, toady to.
verb trans. Flatter, cajole, wheedle, fawn upon. Now dial. LME.
T. Adams Claw me, and I will claw thee: Winke at mine, and I will not see thy faults.
verb intrans. Grasp, clutch, (at etc.); scratch at. LME.
verb trans. Seize, grip, clutch, or pull (as) with claws. M16.
verb trans. Strike as with claws; beat. Now dial. L16.
verb intrans. Nautical. Beat to windward (off, from, a lee-shore etc.). E17.
With adverbs in specialized senses: claw back regain gradually or with great effort; take back (an allowance by additional taxation etc.) claw off (a) get rid of (as an itch); (b) rate soundly, scold.
Comb.: claw-back (a) [BACK noun1] a toady; (b) [BACK adverb] retrieval, recovery (of an allowance by additional taxation etc.).
clawer noun (rare) ME.