n. [ Cf. LG. & D. klamp, Dan. klampe, also D. klampen to fasten, clasp. Cf. Clamber, Cramp. ] 1. Something rigid that holds fast or binds things together; a piece of wood or metal, used to hold two or more pieces together. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (a) An instrument with a screw or screws by which work is held in its place or two parts are temporarily held together. (b) (Joinery) A piece of wood placed across another, or inserted into another, to bind or strengthen. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One of a pair of movable pieces of lead, or other soft material, to cover the jaws of a vise and enable it to grasp without bruising. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Shipbuilding) A thick plank on the inner part of a ship's side, used to sustain the ends of beams. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. A mass of bricks heaped up to be burned; or of ore for roasting, or of coal for coking. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A mollusk. See Clam. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Clamp nails, nails used to fasten on clamps in ships. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Clamped pos>p. pr. & vb. n. Clamping. ] 1. To fasten with a clamp or clamps; to apply a clamp to; to place in a clamp. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cover, as vegetables, with earth. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Prob. an imitative word. Cf. Clank. ] A heavy footstep; a tramp. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To tread heavily or clumsily; to clump. [ 1913 Webster ]

The policeman with clamping feet. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. sudden restriction on an activity. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. An instrument of iron, with sharp prongs, attached to a boot or shoe to enable the wearer to walk securely upon ice; a creeper. Kane. [ 1913 Webster ]