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Clutch vs Embrace - What's the difference?

clutch | embrace | Synonyms |

Clutch is a synonym of embrace.


As verbs the difference between clutch and embrace

is that clutch is to seize, as though with claws while embrace is to clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.

As nouns the difference between clutch and embrace

is that clutch is the claw of a predatory animal or bird or clutch can be a brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs while embrace is hug (noun); putting arms around someone.

As an adjective clutch

is (us) performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.

clutch

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) clucchen, clicchen, cluchen, clechen, cleken, from (etyl) . Cognate with (etyl) , of uncertain origin, with the form probably assimilated to the verb. Alternative etymology derives Old English clyccan from (etyl) .

Alternative forms

* (l), (l), (l) (dialectal) * (l), (l), (l), (l) (dialectal) * (l) (obsolete)

Verb

(es)
  • To seize, as though with claws.
    • to clutch power
  • * Collier
    • A man may set the poles together in his head, and clutch the whole globe at one intellectual grasp.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Is this a dagger which I see before me ? / Come, let me clutch thee.
  • To grip or grasp tightly.
    • She clutched her purse tightly and walked nervously into the building.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Not that I have the power to clutch my hand.

    Noun

    (es)
  • The claw of a predatory animal or bird.
  • (by extension) A grip, especially one seen as rapacious or evil.
  • * Cowper
    • the clutch of poverty
  • * Carlyle
    • an expiring clutch at popularity
  • * Bishop Stillingfleet
    • I must have little care of myself, if I ever more come near the clutches of such a giant.
  • * 1919 ,
    • You scold yourself; you know it is only your nerves—and yet, and yet... In a little while it is impossible to resist the terror that seizes you, and you are helpless in the clutch of an unseen horror.
  • A device to interrupt power transmission, commonly used between engine and gearbox in a car.
  • The pedal in a car that disengages power transmission.
  • Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.
  • A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.
  • * 1898 , , (Moonfleet) Chapter 4
    • The clutch which I had made to save myself in falling had torn away this chin-band and let the lower jaw drop on the breast; but little else was disturbed, and there was Colonel John Mohune resting as he had been laid out a century ago.
  • (US) An important or critical situation.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • *
    • Synonyms
    * clutch bag (small handbag)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (US) Performing or tending to perform well in difficult, high-pressure situations.
  • *
  • * 2009 , Scott Trocchia, The 2006 Yankees: The Frustration of a Nation, A Fan's Perspective , page 21:
    • I start with his most obvious characteristic: he was clutch'. He is Mr. '''Clutch'''. In the last chapter I mentioned that Bernie Williams was '''clutch''', which was a valid assessment, but nobody on the Yankees was as ' clutch as Jeter was.
  • *

    • Etymology 2

    Variant form of (cletch), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (es)
  • A brood of chickens or a sitting of eggs.
  • A group or bunch (of people or things).
  • * 2012 , The Economist, 22nd Sep., Innovation in Government: Britain's Local Labs
    • No longer would Britons routinely blame the national government when things went wrong. Instead they would demand action from a new clutch of elected mayors, police commissioners and the like.

    Alternative forms

    *

    Noun

    (nb-noun-m1)
  • a (l) (device between engine and gearbox )
  • clutch pedal
    • trå in clutchen - step on the clutch

    Synonyms

    * (l) * (l)

    References

    * ----

    embrace

    English

    Alternative forms

    * imbrace (obsolete)

    Verb

    (embrac)
  • To clasp in the arms with affection; to take in the arms; to hug.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I will embrace him with a soldier's arm, / That he shall shrink under my courtesy.
  • * Bible, Acts xx. 1
    • Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them.
  • (obsolete) To cling to; to cherish; to love.
    • (Shakespeare)
  • To seize eagerly, or with alacrity; to accept with cordiality; to welcome.
    • I wholeheartedly embrace the new legislation.
  • * Shakespeare
    • You embrace the occasion.
  • * John Locke
    • What is there that he may not embrace for truth?
  • To accept; to undergo; to submit to.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I embrace this fortune patiently.
  • To encircle; to encompass; to enclose.
  • * Dryden
    • Not that my song, in such a scanty space, / So large a subject fully can embrace .
  • * Denham
    • Low at his feet a spacious plain is placed, / Between the mountain and the stream embraced .
  • To enfold, to include (ideas, principles, etc.); to encompass.
    • Natural philosophy embraces many sciences.
  • To fasten on, as armour.
    • (Spenser)
  • (legal) To attempt to influence (a jury, court, etc.) corruptly.
    • (Blackstone)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Hug (noun); putting arms around someone.
  • *
  • *:a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil!  You!   Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.
  • (metaphorical) Enfolding, including.