clutch

noun

1
the act of grasping
he released his clasp on my arm
he has a strong grip for an old man
2
a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism
this year's model has an improved clutch
3
a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft and a driving mechanism
he smoothely released the clutch with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other
4
a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand
5
a collection of things or persons to be handled together
6
a number of birds hatched at the same time
7
a tense critical situation
he is a good man in the clutch

1
affect
Fear seized the prisoners
The patient was seized with unbearable pains
2
take hold of; grab
The sales clerk quickly seized the money on the counter
She clutched her purse
3
hold firmly, usually with one's hands
She clutched my arm when she got scared

Also useful for “clutch”:Unscrambler— Rearrange the letters in “clutch”