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Tighten vs Clamp - What's the difference?

tighten | clamp |

In transitive terms the difference between tighten and clamp

is that tighten is to make tighter while clamp is to modify a numeric value so it lies within a specific range.

In intransitive terms the difference between tighten and clamp

is that tighten is to become tighter while clamp is to tread heavily or clumsily; to clump or clomp.

As a noun clamp is

a brace, band, or clasp for strengthening or holding things together.

tighten

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To make tighter.
    • Please tighten that screw a quarter-turn.
  • * Fawkes
    • Just where I please, with tightened rein / I'll urge thee round the dusty plain.
  • To become tighter.
    • That joint is tightening as the wood dries.
  • (economics) To make money harder to borrow or obtain.
    • If the government doesn't tighten the money supply, inflation is certain to be harsh.
  • (economics) To raise short-term interest rates.
    • The Fed is expected to tighten by a quarter-point.

    Antonyms

    * (make tighter) loosen

    Derived terms

    * retighten * tighten one's belt * tighten the purse strings * tightener

    Related terms

    * tight

    Distinguish from

    * titan, Titan

    clamp

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A brace, band, or clasp for strengthening or holding things together.
  • A mass of bricks heaped up to be burned; or of ore for roasting, or of coal coking.
  • A piece of wood (batten) across the grain of a board end to keep it flat, as in a breadboard.
  • A heavy footstep; a tramp.

    • Derived terms

    * clover clamp * nipple clamp

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (intransitive) To fasten in place or together with (or as if with) a clamp .
  • * 1897 , (Bram Stoker), (Dracula) Chapter 21
    • As we burst into the room, the Count turned his face, and the hellish look that I had heard described seemed to leap into it. His eyes flamed red with devilish passion. The great nostrils of the white aquiline nose opened wide and quivered at the edge, and the white sharp teeth, behind the full lips of the blood dripping mouth, clamped together like those of a wild beast.
  • To tread heavily or clumsily; to clump or clomp.
  • * Thackeray
    • The policeman with clamping feet.
  • To hold or grip tightly.
  • To modify a numeric value so it lies within a specific range.
  • (UK, obsolete, transitive) To cover (vegetables, etc.) with earth.

    • Derived terms

    * clamp down

    See also

    * clasp * vise, vice