claw

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A claw is a sharp pointed part at the end of an animal's leg that they use for catching and holding things.

When we think about claws, we usually imagine animals like cats or bears using them to grab onto branches or even attack their enemies. But humans can have claws too - sometimes on their hands if they're working with tools or instruments that require a lot of grip strength. For example, some musicians use claw-style guitar picks to get a better sound out of their music. In general though, we associate the word "claw" most strongly with wild animals and their natural behaviors.

How common is "claw"?

Word claw is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions

noun

  • A curved, pointed, horny projection on each digit of the foot of a mammal, reptile, or bird.

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Real examples of "claw" in context

Bowl image

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