n. . In zoöl.:n. A sharp, hooked, horny end of the limb of a mammal, bird, reptile, or other animal; a pointed and especially a curved nail of a vertebrate, consisting of thickened and hardened epidermal tissue, like horn, borne usually on a bony basis or core; technically, an unguis, as distinguished from a hoof or ungula.n. A sharp, hooked end of a limb of an animal, of whatever character.n. The whole leg, foot, or other appendage of certain animals, terminating in a sharp hooked end or in a pincer-like extremity; a chela, cheliped, or chelicera, as in insects, arachnidans, crustaceans, etc. See cuts under chela, chelicera, and scorpion.n. Some part of an animal resembling or likened to a claw.n. 2. Figuratively, the human hand; hence, in the plural, grasp; clutch; hold: as, to get one's claws on a thing.n. In mech., some part of a tool or tackle resembling a claw: as, the claw or cleft end of a hammer, used in drawing out nails; the claw of a crowbar; the claw of a grapnel.n. In botany, the narrow base of a petal, especially when it is long, as in the pink and wallflower.n. In locksmithing, a spur or talon which projects from a bolt or tumbler.To tear, scratch, pull, or seize with or as if with claws or talons.To scratch; relieve by or as if by scratching; scratch, as an itching part, with intent to relieve irritation.3. To fawn on.To make or affect by the use of a claw or claws of some sort: as, to claw a hole in a carpet; to claw up a heap of dirt; to claw the leaves away.To get rid of.. Nautical, to beat to windward, in order to avoid falling on a lee shore or on another vessel: with off; hence, figuratively, to get off; escape: as, to claw off from, an embarrassing situation.To fawn; flatter.
