clasp

The story

1. Old English · inherited fromclyppan“clasp”
2. Middle English · inherited fromclaspe“metal catch or hook used to hold things together”
3. English todayclasp

Noun dated ca. 1300 and verb dated ca. 1400; from Middle English claspe (“metal catch or hook used to hold things together”), possible metathesis of clapse, which comes from or related to Old English clyppan (“clasp”) (also see clip (verb)). Related to English enclasp (“embrace, hold tightly in one's arms”). Compare hasp, of very similar meaning but older known provenance.

Words from the same roots