a sharp, usually curved, nail on the foot of an animal, as on a cat, dog, or bird.

a similar curved process at the end of the leg of an insect.

the pincerlike extremity of specific limbs of certain arthropods

lobster claws.

any part or thing resembling a claw, as the cleft end of the head of a hammer.

Typography . the hooklike projection from the right side of an r or from the bowl of a g.

(in a motion-picture mechanism) a device having one or two teeth that hook into the perforations of a length of film and move it one frame at a time at any given speed.

Jewelry . one of a group of slender, tapering metal projections rising from the base of a jewelry setting, used to hold a transparent or faceted gemstone in position. Compare prong ( def. 4 ) .

to tear, scratch, seize, pull, etc., with or as if with claws

The kitten clawed my sweater to shreds.

to make by or as if by scratching, digging, etc., with hands or claws

to claw a hole in the earth.

to proceed by or as if by using the hands

He clawed his way through the crowd.

to scratch, tear, or dig with or as if with claws

The cat clawed and hissed in fear.

to make fumbling motions

He clawed at the door. She clawed for the light switch.

Scot. to scratch gently, as to relieve itching.

noun

barb , cant hook , clapperclaw , crook , fang , fingernail , grapnel , grappler , hook , manus , nail claw , nipper , paw , pincer , retractile , spur , talon , tentacle , unguis , ungula , chela , dewclaw , nail , pounce , uncus

verb

break , dig , graze , hurt , itch , lacerate , mangle , maul , open , rip , scrabble , scrap , scrape , scratch , tear , chela , clutch , foot , grasp , griff , grope , hand , hook , laniate , nail , nipper , paw , seize , sere , slash , talon , unguis , ungula