cramp

cramp
I. noun Etymology: Middle English crampe, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch crampe; akin to Old High German krampf bent Date: 14th century 1. a painful involuntary spasmodic contraction of a muscle 2. a temporary paralysis of muscles from overuse — compare writer's cramp 3. a. sharp abdominal pain — usually used in plural b. persistent and often intense though dull lower abdominal pain associated with dysmenorrhea — usually used in plural • crampy adjective II. noun Etymology: Middle English crampe, from Middle Dutch Date: 15th century 1. a. a usually iron device bent at the ends and used to hold timbers or blocks of stone together b. clamp 2. a. something that confines ; shackle b. the state of being confined III. verb Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. to affect with or as if with a cramp or cramps 2. a. confine, restrain <
was cramped in the tiny apartment
>
b. to restrain from free expression — used especially in the phrase cramp one's style 3. to fasten or hold with a cramp intransitive verb to be affected with cramps IV. adjective Date: 1674 1. hard to understand or figure out <
cramp law terms
>
<
cramp handwriting
>
2. being cramped <
a cramp corner
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Cramp — (kr[a^]mp), n. [OE. crampe, craumpe; akin to D. & Sw. kramp, Dan. krampe, G. krampf (whence F. crampe), Icel. krappr strait, narrow, and to E. crimp, crumple; cf. cram. See {Grape}.] 1. That which confines or contracts; a restraint; a shackle; a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cramp — Cramp, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cramped} (kr[a^]mt; 215); p. pr. & vb. n. {Cramping}.] 1. To compress; to restrain from free action; to confine and contract; to hinder. [1913 Webster] The mind my be as much cramped by too much knowledge as by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cramp — cramp; cramp·er; cramp·ette; cramp·ing·ly; cramp·it; cramp·et; …   English syllables

  • cramp — ► NOUN 1) painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles. 2) a tool for clamping two objects together. 3) (also cramp iron) a metal bar with bent ends for holding masonry together. ► VERB 1) restrict or inhibit the development of. 2)… …   English terms dictionary

  • cramp — cramp1 [kramp] n. [ME crampe < OFr, bent, twisted < Frank * kramp; akin to MDu & MLowG krampe: for IE base see CRADLE] 1. a sudden, painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles from chill, strain, etc. 2. partial local paralysis …   English World dictionary

  • Cramp — Cramp, a. [See {Cramp}, n.] Knotty; difficult. [R.] [1913 Webster] Care being taken not to add any of the cramp reasons for this opinion. Coleridge. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cramp — (Ильназ Тарханов) (Anjunabeats, Conspiracy Recordings, UK; Armada, NL) Казанский музыкант и ди джей, 1/2 проекта Neoblizz и Ultrashockers (релизы на DeepBlue Reords, UK; Flashover Recordings, NL) Треки Ильназа регулярно поддерживаются топовыми ди …   Википедия

  • cramp — [n] muscle spasm ache, charley horse*, circumscription, confinement, constipation, contraction, convulsion, crick, hindrance, impediment, kink, obstruction, pain, pang, restriction, shooting pain, stiffness, stitch, stricture, twinge; concepts… …   New thesaurus

  • cramp — index block, constrict (compress), deter, disadvantage, encumber (hinder), hamper, hinder …   Law dictionary

  • Cramp & Co. — Not to be confused with William Cramp Sons. Cramp Co. was a building company in Philadelphia. Many of its works are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. It worked sometimes in conjunction with architect Henry deCourcy Richards …   Wikipedia

  • cramp — cramp1 /kramp/, n. 1. Often, cramps. a. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, esp. of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain. b. a piercing pain in the abdomen. c. an intermittent, painful contraction… …   Universalium

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