Clasp

Morpheme

Clasp

Type

free base

Denotation

clip, embrace

Etymology

Middle English claspe; of unknown origin but possibly metathesis of clapse

Evidence

clasp, clasped, clasper, claspin, clasping, clasplike, clasps, enclasp, enclasped, enclasping, enclaspment, enclasps, handclasp, reclasp, unclasp, unclasped

Notes

phonosemantic <cl> denoting “physical feeling or action of gripping, gathering, or lumping”