Clasp \Clasp\ (kl[.a]sp), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clasped
   (kl[.a]spt); p. pr. & vb. n. Clasping] [OE. claspen,
   clapsen, prob. akin to E. clap.]
   1. To shut or fasten together with, or as with, a clasp; to
      shut or fasten (a clasp, or that which fastens with a
      clasp).
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To inclose and hold in the hand or with the arms; to
      grasp; to embrace.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To surround and cling to; to entwine about. "Clasping
      ivy." --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	Clasp \Clasp\, n.
   1. An adjustable catch, bent plate, or hook, for holding
      together two objects or the parts of anything, as the ends
      of a belt, the covers of a book, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A close embrace; a throwing of the arms around; a
      grasping, as with the hand.
      [1913 Webster]

   Clasp knife, a large knife, the blade of which folds or
      shuts into the handle.

   Clasp lock, a lock which closes or secures itself by means
      of a spring.
      [1913 Webster]

	

	clasp
    n 1: a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two
         things together
    2: the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he
       has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on
       the railing" [syn: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches,
       grasp, grip, hold]
    v 1: hold firmly and tightly [ant: unclasp]
    2: fasten with or as if with a brooch [syn: brooch, clasp]
    3: fasten with a buckle or buckles [syn: buckle, clasp]
       [ant: unbuckle]
    4: grasp firmly; "The child clasped my hands" [ant: unclasp]

	

	132 Moby Thesaurus words for "clasp":
   abduct, adhere, adhere to, agglomerate, around, articulate, batten,
   batten down, bear hug, bite, bolt, bosom, brooch, buckle, bunch,
   butt, button, carry off, catch, clamp, cleat, cleave, cleave to,
   clench, clinch, cling, cling to, clinging, clip, close, clot,
   cluster, clutch, coagulate, cohere, congeal, conglomerate,
   death grip, dovetail, embosom, embrace, enclose, enfold,
   enfoldment, envelop, fasten, fastener, fastening, firm hold, fold,
   follow close upon, foothold, footing, freeze to, go with, grab,
   grapple, grasp, grip, gripe, grow together, hang about, hang on,
   hang on to, hang together, hasp, hinge, hitch, hold, hold fast,
   hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hold together, hook, hover over,
   huddle, hug, hug the shore, iron grip, jam, joint, keep close to,
   keep hold of, kidnap, latch, lie by, lock, march with, mass, miter,
   mortise, nail, never let go, nip, peg, persist, pin, press,
   purchase, rabbet, rivet, scarf, screw, seizure, set, sew, shanghai,
   skewer, snap, solidify, squeeze, stand by, staple, stay,
   stay inshore, stay near, stay put, stick, stick to, stick together,
   stitch, tack, tailgate, take hold of, tenure, throttle, tight grip,
   toehold, toggle, wedge, zipper

	

	Computer Language for AeronauticS and Programming
CLASP

    (CLASP) A real-time language from NASA focussing
   on fixed-point mathematics.  CLASP is a near subset of
   SPL, with some ideas from PL/I.

   ["Flight Computer and Language Processor Study", Raymond
   J. Rubey, Management Information Services, Detroit, 1971].

   (1994-10-13)