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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
clamp1 noun 1 a tool with adjustable jaws for gripping things firmly or pressing parts together. 2 a reinforcing or fastening device, used in woodwork, etc. 3 (usually wheel clamp) a heavy metal device fitted to the wheels of an illegally parked car, to prevent it being moved. verb (clamped, clamping) 1 to fasten together or hold with a clamp. 2 to fit a clamp to a wheel of (a parked car) to stop it being moved. 3 to hold, grip, shut or press tightly.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from Dutch klampe.
clamp down on something or someone to put a stop to or to control it or them strictly. |
clamp1 noun 1 a tool with adjustable jaws for gripping things firmly or pressing parts together. 2 a reinforcing or fastening device, used in woodwork, etc. 3 (usually wheel clamp) a heavy metal device fitted to the wheels of an illegally parked car, to prevent it being moved. verb (clamped, clamping) 1 to fasten together or hold with a clamp. 2 to fit a clamp to a wheel of (a parked car) to stop it being moved. 3 to hold, grip, shut or press tightly.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from Dutch klampe.
clamp down on something or someone to put a stop to or to control it or them strictly. |
clamp1 noun 1 a tool with adjustable jaws for gripping things firmly or pressing parts together. 2 a reinforcing or fastening device, used in woodwork, etc. 3 (usually wheel clamp) a heavy metal device fitted to the wheels of an illegally parked car, to prevent it being moved. verb (clamped, clamping) 1 to fasten together or hold with a clamp. 2 to fit a clamp to a wheel of (a parked car) to stop it being moved. 3 to hold, grip, shut or press tightly.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from Dutch klampe.
clamp down on something or someone to put a stop to or to control it or them strictly. |
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The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
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The Chambers Thesaurus
The Chambers Thesaurus (4th Edition) is a veritable treasure-trove, including the greatest selection of alternative words and phrases available in an A to Z format. -
Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Thoroughly revised and updated for its 9th edition.
Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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