51Թ

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cramp

1

[kramp]

noun

  1. Often cramps

    1. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, especially of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.

    2. a piercing pain in the abdomen.

    3. an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.

  2. writer's cramp.



verb (used with object)

  1. to affect with or as if with a cramp.

cramp

2

[kramp]

noun

  1. cramp iron.

  2. a portable frame or tool with a movable part that can be screwed up to hold things together; clamp.

  3. anything that confines or restrains.

  4. a cramped state or part.

verb (used with object)

  1. to fasten or hold with a cramp.

  2. to confine narrowly; restrict; restrain; hamper.

  3. to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear; steer.

adjective

  1. cramped.

cramp

1

/ æ /

noun

  1. Also called: cramp iron.a strip of metal with its ends bent at right angles, used to bind masonry

  2. a device for holding pieces of wood while they are glued; clamp

  3. something that confines or restricts

  4. a confined state or position

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to secure or hold with a cramp

  2. to confine, hamper, or restrict

  3. informalto prevent a person from using his abilities or acting freely and confidently

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cramp

2

/ æ /

noun

  1. a painful involuntary contraction of a muscle, typically caused by overexertion, heat, or chill

  2. temporary partial paralysis of a muscle group

    writer's cramp

  3. (usually plural in the US and Canada) severe abdominal pain

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to affect with or as if with a cramp

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • crampingly adverb
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of cramp1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English crampe, from Old French, from Germanic; cognate with Middle Dutch crampe, Old Saxon krampo, Old High German krampfo; derivative of an adjective meaning “narrow, constrained, bent”; compare Old High German krampf, Old Norse krappr; akin to crimp 1

Origin of cramp2

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English crampe, crompe, from Middle Dutch; cramp 1
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of cramp1

C15: from Middle Dutch crampe cramp, hook, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German khramph bent; see cramp 1

Origin of cramp2

C14: from Old French crampe, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krampho
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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. cramp one's style, to prevent one from showing one's best abilities.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As the clock ticked down, Bulls captain Ruan Nortje spilled the ball with space ahead of him and promptly came up lame with cramp to sum up his side's disappointing day.

From

Not to mention that Solkovits had to deal with cramped hallways and substandard classrooms.

From

Authorities halted construction of the plant late last year after workers were found living in cramped accommodation with "minimum comfort and hygiene conditions", the MPT said.

From

“My feet were torn and oozing within my elk leather boots, and every inch of my skin was a rash of poison oak. Hours before I had been incapacitated by muscle cramps.”

From

As he approached the touchline with cramps, he suddenly realised he was no longer wearing his old Sporting number - that was Juan Mata's.

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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