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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Claw \Claw\ (kl[add]), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Clawed} (kl[add]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Clawing}.] [AS. clawan. See {Claw}, noun]
1. To pull, tear, or scratch with, or as with, claws or nails.
2. To relieve from some uneasy sensation, as by scratching; to tickle; hence, to flatter; to court. [Obs.]
Rich men they claw, soothe up, and flatter; the poor they contemn and despise. --Holland.
3. To rail at; to scold. [Obs.]
In the aforesaid preamble, the king fairly claweth the great monasteries, wherein, saith he, religion, thanks be to God, is right well kept and observed; though he claweth them soon after in another acceptation. --T. Fuller
{Claw me, claw thee}, stand by me and I will stand by you; -- an old proverb. --Tyndale.
{To claw away}, to scold or revile. ''The jade Fortune is to be clawed away for it, if you should lose it.'' --L'Estrange.
{To claw (one) on the back}, to tickle; to express approbation. (Obs.) --Chaucer.
{To claw (one) on the gall}, to find fault with; to vex. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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Definitions retrieved from local copies of the freely distributed DICT client/server software and databases. Click here for database copyright information. - KM |