A tight grasp or an act of grasping tightly. She felt a clutch on her arm as she tried to leave the room.
A mechanism for connecting and disconnecting a vehicle's engine from its transmission system. He released the clutch slowly to start the car moving.
A small group of eggs laid by a bird, reptile, or amphibian. The hen sat on her clutch of eggs, keeping them warm.
A small, usually strapless handbag. She carried a silver clutch to match her evening gown.
A critical or decisive situation or event. In the clutch, the team managed to score the winning goal.
(usually plural) Control or power over someone or something; domination. The nation struggled to free itself from the clutches of dictatorship.