1. (v. t.) To shut or fasten together with, or as with, a clasp; to shut or fasten (a clasp, or that which fastens with a clasp).

2. (v. t.) To enclose and hold in the hand or with the arms; to grasp; to embrace.

3. (v. t.) To surround and cling to; to entwine about.

4. (n.) An adjustable catch, bent plate, or hook, for holding together two objects or the parts of anything, as the ends of a belt, the covers of a book, etc.

5. (n.) A close embrace; a throwing of the arms around; a grasping, as with the hand.

abduct adhere adhere to agglomerate around articulate batten batten down bear hug bite bolt bosom brooch buckle bunch butt button carry off catch clamp cleat cleave cleave to clench clinch cling cling to clinging clip close clot cluster clutch coagulate cohere congeal conglomerate death grip dovetail embosom embrace enclose enfold enfoldment envelop fasten fastener fastening firm hold fold follow close upon foothold footing freeze to go with grab grapple grasp grip gripe grow together hang about hang on hang on to hang together hasp hinge hitch hold hold fast hold on hold on to hold tight hold together hook hover over huddle hug hug the shore iron grip jam joint keep close to keep hold of kidnap latch lie by lock march with mass miter mortise nail never let go nip peg persist pin press purchase rabbet rivet scarf screw seizure set sew shanghai skewer snap solidify squeeze stand by staple stay stay inshore stay near stay put stick stick to stick together stitch tack tailgate take hold of tenure throttle tight grip toehold toggle wedge zipper