clutches
part of speech
noun plural (clutches); verb form of clutch (clutch, clutches, clutched, clutching); noun (a clutch, clutches)
meaning for a pupil
1) (the clutches of) The power or control of someone dangerous, as in "in the clutches of the villain". tree →
2) (verb) Holds something tightly, often because of fear or pain. tree →
3) (plural of clutch) The pedals or devices in cars that connect and disconnect the engine from the wheels. tree →
4) (plural of clutch) Sets of eggs laid at one time, or small groups of people or things. tree →
5) Small handbags with no handles, called clutch bags. tree →
sense in the lessons
In stories it shows danger ("escaped from the clutches of the witch") or fear ("she clutches her teddy"). In science, a bird or turtle lays clutches of eggs. In cars, the driver presses the clutch to change gear. Phrases: "in the clutches of", "clutches at straws" (tries anything, even if hopeless).
examples
- The princess escaped from the clutches of the dragon. tree →
- She clutches her bag tightly on the bus. tree →
- The turtle laid two clutches of eggs this year. tree →
- Manual cars have clutches; most automatic cars don't. tree →
- He clutches his tummy because it hurts. tree →
- When he can't answer, he clutches at straws. tree →
- I know no way of rescuing Delicia from her clutches.’ tree →
note
"Clutches" can be the plural noun or the he/she/it form of the verb "clutch". Past form: clutched. "Clutches at straws" means trying desperately.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «clutches» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.