Claw

klaw, n. the hooked nail of a beast or bird: the whole foot of an animal with hooked nails: anything like a claw: an instrument shaped like a claw.— v.t. to scratch or tear as with the claws or nails: to scrape; to seize: ( fig. ) to flatter, fawn on.— n. Claw′back , a toady, flatterer.— adj. Clawed , having claws.— ns. Claw-hamm′er , a hammer with one part of the head divided into two claws, with which to extract nails; Claw′-hamm′er-coat , a facetious name for a dre -coat.— adj. Claw′le .— Claw me and I'll claw thee , favour me and I shall do you good in return. [A.S. clawu ; cog. with Ger. klaue ; akin to Cleave , to stick.]