Part 309

The princes of the country clustering together. Foxe.

Clus"ter, v. t. To collect into a cluster or clusters; to gather into a bunch or close body.

Not less the bee would range her cells, . . . The foxglove cluster dappled bells. Tennyson.

Or from the forest falls the clustered snow. Thomson.

Clustered column (Arch.), a column which is composed, or appears to be composed, of several columns collected together.

Clus"ter*ing*ly, adv. In clusters.

Clus"ter*y (?), a. [From Cluster, n.] Growing in, or full of, clusters; like clusters. Johnson.

Clutch (klŭch; 224), n. [OE. cloche, cloke, claw, Scot. clook, cleuck, also OE. cleche claw, clechen, cleken, to seize; cf. AS. gelŠccan (where ge- is a prefix) to seize. Cf. Latch a catch.] 1. A gripe or clinching with, or as with, the fingers or claws; seizure; grasp. "The clutch of poverty." Cowper.

An expiring clutch at popularity. Carlyle.

But Age, with his stealing steps, Hath clawed me in his clutch. Shak.

2. pl. The hands, claws, or talons, in the act of grasping firmly; -- often figuratively, for power, rapacity, or cruelty; as, to fall into the clutches of an adversary.

I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever more come near the clutches of such a giant. Bp. Stillingfleet.

3. (Mach.) A device which is used for coupling shafting, etc., so as to transmit motion, and which may be disengaged at pleasure.

4. Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a chain or tackle.

5. (Zo÷l.) The nest complement of eggs of a bird.

Bayonet clutch (Mach.), a clutch in which connection is made by means of bayonets attached to arms sliding on a feathered shaft. The bayonets slide through holes in a crosshead fastened on the shaft.

Clutch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clutched (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Clutching.] [OE. clucchen. See Clutch, n.] 1. To seize, clasp, or gripe with the hand, hands, or claws; -- often figuratively; as, to clutch power.

A man may set the poles together in his head, and clutch the whole globe at one intellectual grasp. Collier.

Is this a dagger which I see before me . . . ? Come, let me clutch thee. Shak.

2. To close tightly; to clinch.

Not that I have the power to clutch my hand. Shak.

Clutch, v. i. To reach (at something) as if to grasp; to catch or snatch; -- often followed by at.

Clutching at the phantoms of the stock market. Bankroft.

Clut"ter (?), n. [Cf. W. cludair heap, pile, cludeirio to heap.] 1. A confused collection; hence, confusion; disorder; as, the room is in a clutter.

He saw what a clutter there was with huge, overgrown pots, pans, and spits. L'Estrange.

2. Clatter; confused noise. Swift.

Clut"ter, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cluttered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cluttering.] To crowd together in disorder; to fill or cover with things in disorder; to throw into disorder; to disarrange; as, to clutter a room.

Clut"ter, v. i. To make a confused noise; to bustle.