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Added 9 October 2026

clasp

/klɑːsp/ noun

In Latin: fibula Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about clasp at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together.
The act of grasping.
he released his clasp on my arm

verb

Hold firmly and tightly.
Fasten with or as if with a brooch.
Fasten with a buckle or buckles.

Origin

Noun dated ca. 1300 and verb dated ca. 1400; from Middle English claspe (“metal catch or hook used to hold things together”), possible metathesis of clapse, which comes from or related to Old English clyppan (“clasp”) (also see clip (verb)). Related to English enclasp (“embrace, hold tightly in one's arms”). Compare hasp, of very similar meaning but older known provenance.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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