Clutch vs. Clench

Clutchverb

To seize, as though with claws.

‘to clutch power’;

Clenchnoun

Tight grip.

Clutchverb

To grip or grasp tightly.

‘She clutched her purse tightly and walked nervously into the building.’;

Clenchnoun

(engineering) A seal that is applied to formed thin-wall bushings.

Clutchverb

(transitive) To hatch.

Clenchnoun

A local chapter of the Church of the SubGenius parody religion.

Clutchnoun

The claw of a predatory animal or bird.

Clenchverb

To squeeze; to grip or hold tightly.

‘He clenched his fist in anger.’;

Clutchnoun

(by extension) A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil.

Clenchnoun

See Clinch.

Clutchnoun

A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used between engine and gearbox in a car.

Clenchnoun

a small slip noose made with seizing

Clutchnoun

The pedal in a car that disengages power transmission.

Clenchnoun

the act of grasping;

‘he released his clasp on my arm’; ‘he has a strong grip for an old man’; ‘she kept a firm hold on the railing’;

Clutchnoun

Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.

Clenchverb

hold in a tight grasp;

‘clench a steering wheel’;

Clutchnoun

A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.

Clenchverb

squeeze together tightly;

‘clench one's jaw’;

Clutchnoun

(US) An important or critical situation.

Clenchverb

(with reference to the fingers or hand) close into a tight ball, especially as a manifestation of extreme anger

‘Ian's right hand clenched into a fist’; ‘she clenched her fists, struggling for control’;

Clutchnoun

A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs.

Clenchverb

(with reference to the teeth) press or be pressed tightly together, especially with anger or determination or so as to suppress a strong emotion

‘he clenched his teeth, fighting waves of nausea’; ‘her teeth clenched in anger’;

Clutchnoun

A group or bunch (of people or things).

Clenchverb

grasp (something) tightly and firmly

‘he clenched the steering wheel so hard that the car wobbled’;

Clutchadjective

Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.

Clenchverb

(with reference to a muscular part of the body) tighten or contract sharply, especially with strong emotion

‘her heart clenched in fear’; ‘my stomach was clenched in a knot’;

Clutchnoun

A gripe or clinching with, or as with, the fingers or claws; seizure; grasp.

‘An expiring clutch at popularity.’; ‘But Age, with his stealing steps,Hath clawed me in his clutch.’;

Clenchnoun

a contraction or tightening of part of the body

‘she saw the anger rise, saw the clench of his fists’;

Clutchnoun

The hands, claws, or talons, in the act of grasping firmly; - often figuratively, for power, rapacity, or cruelty; as, to fall into the clutches of an adversary.

‘I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever more come near the clutches of such a giant.’;

Clutchnoun

A device which is used for coupling shafting, etc., so as to transmit motion, and which may be disengaged at pleasure.

Clutchnoun

Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.

Clutchnoun

The nest complement of eggs of a bird.

Clutchverb

To seize, clasp, or grip with the hand, hands, or claws; - often figuratively; as, to clutch power.

‘A man may set the poles together in his head, and clutch the whole globe at one intellectual grasp.’; ‘Is this a dagger which I see before me . . . ?Come, let me clutch thee.’;

Clutchverb

To close tightly; to clinch.

‘Not that I have the power to clutch my hand.’;

Clutchverb

To reach (at something) as if to grasp; to catch or snatch; - often followed by at.

Clutchverb

to become too tense or frightened to perform properly; used sometimes with up; as, he clutched up on the exam.

Clutchnoun

the act of grasping;

‘he released his clasp on my arm’; ‘he has a strong grip for an old man’; ‘she kept a firm hold on the railing’;

Clutchnoun

a tense critical situation;

‘he is a good man in the clutch’;

Clutchnoun

a number of birds hatched at the same time

Clutchnoun

a collection of things or persons to be handled together

Clutchnoun

a pedal that operates a clutch

Clutchnoun

a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism

Clutchverb

take hold of; grab;

‘The salesclerk quickly seized the money on the counter’; ‘She clutched her purse’; ‘The mother seized her child by the arm’; ‘Birds of prey often seize small mammals’;

Clutchverb

hold firmly, usually with one's hands;

‘She clutched my arm when she got scared’;

Clutchverb

affect;

‘Fear seized the prisoners’; ‘The patient was seized with unberable pains’; ‘He was seized with a dreadful disease’;

Clutch

A clutch is a mechanical device that engages and disengages power transmission, especially from a drive shaft (driving shaft) to a driven shaft. In the simplest application, clutches connect and disconnect two rotating shafts (drive shafts or line shafts).