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Something rigid that holds fast or binds things together; a piece of wood or metal, used to hold two or more pieces together.

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

To talk fast and noisily; to rattle with the tongue. I see thou dost but clatter. Spenser.

A strip of wood or iron fastened on transversely to something in order to give strength, prevent warping, hold position, etc.

To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast; to cling. My bones cleave to my skin. Ps. cii. 5. The diseases of Egypt . . . shall cleave unto thee. Deut. xxviii. 60. Sophistry cleaves close to and protects Sin's rotten trunk, concealing its defects. Cowper.

To hold firmly; to hold fast by grasping or embracing tightly. "Clinch the pointed spear." Dryden.

One who, or that which, clinches; that which holds fast. Pope.

To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast, especially by twining round or embracing; as, the tendril of a vine clings to its support; -- usually followed by to or together. And what hath life for thee That thou shouldst cling to it thus Mrs. Hemans.

A vessel with a sharp bow, built and rigged for fast sailing. -- Clip"per-built` (, a.

Shut fast; closed; tight; as, a close box. From a close bower this dainty music flowed. Dryden.

That which closes or shuts; that by which separate parts are fastened or closed. Without a seal, wafer, or any closure whatever. Pope.

urs, feathers, etc. They live in tubular cases made of the material upon which they feed, fastened together with silk.

A forked piece of wood, or a small spring clamp, used for fastening clothes on a line.

and. [Low] Clout nail, a kind of wrought-iron nail heaving a large flat head; -- used for fastening clouts to axletrees, plowshares, etc., also for studding timber, and for various purposes.

hed to arms sliding on a feathered shaft. The bayonets slide through holes in a crosshead fastened on the shaft.

To stick together; to cleave; to be united; to hold fast, as parts of the same mass. Neither knows he . . . how the solid parts of the body are united or cohere together. Locke.

A light repast or luncheon; as, a cold collation; -- first applied to the refreshment on fast days that accompanied the reading of the collation in monasteries. A collation of wine and sweetmeats. Whiston. Collation of seals (Old Law), a method of ascertaining the genuineness of a seal by comparing it with another know…

A small metal ring; a small collar fastened on an arbor; as, the collet on the balance arbor of a watch; a small socket on a stem, for holding a drill.

A very fast, unarmored, lightly armed vessel designed to capture or destroy merchant vessels of an enemy. Not being intended to fight, they may be improvised from fast passenger steamers.

To fix; to fasten. [Obs.] Shak.