clasp nail (klaspnal)

A nail having a head with pointed spurs that sink into the wood. cla (klas), n. [= D. klas, kla e = G. cla e = Dan. kla e = Sw. kla , the minimum of the census. Hence-2. An order or rank of persons; a number of persons having certain characteristics in common, as equality in rank, intellectual influence, education, property, occupation, habits of life, etc. We are by our occupations, education, and habits of life divided almost into different species. Each of these cla es of the human race has desires, fears, and conversation, vexations and merriment peculiar to itself. Johnson. Nine tenths of the whole people belong to the laborious, industrious, and productive cla es. D. Webster, Speech, Pittsburg, July, 1833. The constitution of the House of Commons tended greatly to promote the salutary intermixture of cla es. The knight of the shire was the connecting link between the baron and the shopkeeper. Macaulay , Hist. Eng., i. 3. Any body of persons grouped together by particular circumstances or for particular reasons. dents in a college, of the same grade or pursuing the same Specifically-(a) A number of pupils in a school, of stu studies; especially, in American colleges, the students collectively who are graduated, or in accordance with the rules of the college will be graduated, in the same year. There are four college cla es, the freshman or lowest, the sophomore, the junior, and the senior. The word was first used in this sense in American colleges in the Latin form cla is, and was borrowed from the universities of continental Europe, where it had during the sixteenth century replaced the medieval lectio. (b) In the Meth. Ch., one of several small companies, usually numbering about twelve members, into which each society is divided, for more effective pastoral oversight, social meeting for klaspe, klasper ); from the verb.] 1. A catch or hook used to hold together two things, or two parts of the same thing. Ant the body hongeth at the galewes faste, With yrnene [iron] claspes longe to laste. Execution of Sir Simon Fraser (Child's Ballads, VI. 282), Specifically-( a ) A broad, flat hook or catch used to hold together the covers of a book. That book in many's eyes doth share the glory, That in gold clasps locks in the golden story. Shak., R. and J., 1. 3. (b) A hook used to hold together two parts of a garment, or serve as an ornament: as, a cloak- clasp. See agraffe, brooch1, fermail. (c) A small piece of tin or other metal pa ed through or around two objects, and bent over to fasten them together. (d) In spinning, an arrangement consisting of two horizontal beams, the upper pre ed upon the lower one, or lifted for drawing out the thread. arms or hands; a close embrace. A central warmth diffusing bli In glance and smile, and clasp and ki . come into violent and resounding collision; strike furiously. The true Reason of it [the ebbing and flowing of the sea] is nothing else but the clashing of the Waters of two mighty Seas cro ing each other. Stilling fleet , Sermons, III. x. And thrice They clash'd together, and thrice they brake their spears. Tennyson, Geraint. 3. Figuratively, to act with opposing power or in a contrary direction; come into collision; contradict; interfere: as, their opinions and their interests clash. Neither was there any queen-mother who might clash with his counsellors for authority. Bacon , Henry VII. Other existences there are, that clash with ours. M. Arnold , Empedocles on Etna. 4. To talk; go ip idly; tattle; tell tales. Burns. [Scotch.] II. trans . To bang; strike, or strike against, with a resounding collision; strike sharply together. Then This be clasht the dore. Lisle , Heliodor us (1638). Dryden, Pal. and Arc., iii. 370. The nodding statue clash'd his arms. Above all, the triumphant palm-trees clashed their melodious branches like a chorus with cymbals. C. W. Stoddard , South-Sea Idyls, p. 7. Let us clash our minds together, and see if some sparks do not spring forth. J. E. Cooke , Virginia Comedians, I. xviii. Tennyson, In Memoriam, lxxxiv. 3. In entom., the claspers at the end of the male abdomen, designed for retaining the female. clasper (klas'per), n. One who or that which clasps. Specifically-( a ) In bot., the tendril of a vine or other plant which twines round something for support. (b) In zool., any special organ by which one sex clasps and retains the other in copulation, as in many insects, crustaceans, fishes, etc. The claspers are usually modified limbs, or appendages of limbs, but are sometimes other special parts, as terminal abdominal appendages of insects. The ventral fins [of selachians) are always placed near the anus, and, in the male, bear peculiar grooved cartilaginous appendages, which are the acce ory copulatory organs ( claspers ). Claus , Zoology (trans.), I. 158. 1. A knife with