[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/clasp/)

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# clasp

verb (clasp, clasps, clasped, clasping); noun (a clasp, clasps)

«clasp» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (verb) To hold something tightly in your hand or arms: «She clasped her teddy». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#m1)
2. (verb) To put your hands together with the fingers locked: «clasp your hands». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#m2)
3. (noun) A small metal fastener that holds two parts together, for example on a necklace, bag or belt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#m3)
4. (noun) A tight hold or grip: «a firm clasp». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories «clasped» shows strong feeling: a frightened child clasps a parent's hand, a happy friend clasps someone in a hug, someone prays with clasped hands. In everyday life clasps fasten jewellery, purses and old books. In PE or drama teachers might say «clasp your hands behind your back». Phrases: «clasp hands», «hands clasped», «clasp to your chest», «necklace clasp».

### Examples

- She clasped her little brother's hand as they crossed the road. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x1)
- He sat with his hands clasped in his lap. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x2)
- Grandma could not open the tiny clasp on her necklace. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x3)
- The old diary had a brass clasp and a lock. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x4)
- The winner clasped the trophy to her chest. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x5)
- My bag's clasp snapped open and my pencils fell out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x6)
- They clasped each other in a big hug at the airport. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x7)
- Clasp your hands behind your head and lie back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x8)
- And the Queen undid the clasps. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/#x9)

### Note

Past form: clasped (one syllable, said «claspt»). «Clasp» is stronger and more careful than «hold» and often shows emotion. A «grasp» is a firm hold, often to take something; a «clasp» is holding close or fastening. «Clasp» as a fastener is countable: a clasp, two clasps.

## In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is a fastener of gold or brass that joins the curtains of the Tabernacle.

**Interpretation.** The clasps joined the curtains so that "the tabernacle was one." Tradition reads this as showing that many parts make one holy dwelling.

### Examples

- And he made fifty clasps of brass to couple the tent together, that it might be one. (Torah EXO.36.18, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/clasp/#x1)
- the tabernacle, its tent, and its covering, its clasps, and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; (Torah EXO.35.11, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/clasp/#x2)
- And he made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains one to another with the clasps; so the tabernacle was one. (Torah EXO.36.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/clasp/#x3)

### Note

Past form: clasped (one syllable, said «claspt»). «Clasp» is stronger and more careful than «hold» and often shows emotion. A «grasp» is a firm hold, often to take something; a «clasp» is holding close or fastening. «Clasp» as a fastener is countable: a clasp, two clasps.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «clasp» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/clasp/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«clasp» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/clasp.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «clasp» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/clasp/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«clasp» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/clasp.html) on Mova free.