claw etymology

Etymology:

Claw derives from the Middle English "clawe," which in turn originated from the Old English "clawu," meaning "claw, talon, nail." The root "klawa-" is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root "*kel-," meaning "to grab, clutch."

Meaning:

A claw is a sharp, curved nail or hook found on the toes of animals, primarily carnivorous species such as cats, dogs, and birds of prey. Claws function as tools for grabbing, tearing, holding, climbing, and defending.

Origin:

Claws evolved in animals as adaptations for their hunting and survival strategies. Carnivores use claws to capture and kill their prey, while birds of prey rely on them to seize small animals or fish. Claws also provide animals with increased traction on various surfaces, enabling them to climb trees or rocky terrain.

In humans, claws are not as prominent as in animals. However, the nail bed contains a remnant of the claw structure known as the lunula, which is the white, crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail.

claw relate terms

• clapperclaw

  Etymology Middle English clapperclawe clappen to strike or clap clawe a claw

• clap

  Etymology The word clap is believed to originate from the Middle English word clappen

• claw

  Etymology Claw derives from the Middle English clawe which in turn originated from th

• Clootie

  Etymology The term clootie is derived from the Scots word cloot meaning rag or

• claw

  Etymology Claw derives from the Middle English clawe which in turn originated from th

• claw

  Etymology Claw derives from the Middle English clawe which in turn originated from th

• dewlap

  Etymology and Meaning The word dewlap originated from the Old English term dewlappe

• pounce

  Etymology pounce v Middle English from Old French poncer puncer from Latin pungere

• nail

  Etymology The word nail has multiple etymological origins Germanic nagul or nagl n

• chelicerae

  Etymology The term chelicerae is derived from two Greek words Cheilos Meaning lip

• onyx

  Etymology The word onyx is derived from the Greek word ὄνυξ ónyx which mean

• crawl

  Etymology Middle English crawlen from Old English crawlian Proto Germanic krawlija

• branch

  Etymology The word branch comes from the Old French word branche which in turn is d

• Scratch

  Etymology The word scratch comes from the Middle English word scratten which in turn

• make

  Etymology The study of the origin and history of words Meaning Etymology is the branch

• assault

  Etymology Assault is derived from the Old French assault meaning an attack which