Clawed

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Possessing sharp appendages adapted for tearing or gripping items in a predatory manner
2. Exhibiting pointed, curved structures on limbs that enable the gripping or tearing of various substances
3. Having pointed, curved nails or talons used for gripping or ripping

Etymology: "Clawed" is a plain formation: the noun "claw" with the past-participle ending "-ed" added, so it describes something that has been given claws or that acts with them. The noun "claw" is Old English "clawu," related to "clawa," a word for a hooked or curved claw, and it is ancient in the Germanic languages, with cognates in Dutch "klauw" and German "Klaue." The verb "claw" came later as a derivative of the noun, meaning to scratch, tear, or grip with claws. The adjective and past-tense forms therefore follow the verb's sense: a clawed foot is one with claws, and "clawed" as a past tense describes the action of scratching or gripping. The sense of tearing or hauling at something with hooked fingers developed from the animal use of the noun.

Synonyms: scratched, grasped, tore

Antonyms: smoothed, caressed, patted