clutch
     n 1: 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}, {clutches}, {grasp},
           {grip}, {hold}]
     2: a tense critical situation; "he is a good man in the clutch"
     3: a number of birds hatched at the same time
     4: a collection of things or persons to be handled together
        [syn: {batch}]
     5: a pedal that operates a clutch [syn: {clutch pedal}]
     6: a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven
        parts of a driving mechanism
     v 1: take hold of; grab; "The salesclerk quickly seized the money
          on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The mother
          seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often seize
          small mammals" [syn: {seize}, {prehend}]
     2: hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm
        when she got scared" [syn: {cling to}, {hold close}, {hold
        tight}]
     3: affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized
        with unberable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful
        disease" [syn: {seize}, {get hold of}]
Source: WordNet® 2.0