clutch-v; 3 Senses

Sense Number 1: Acquire, grab, hold, or control an entity.

Commentary: Includes: CLUTCH ON, CLUTCH ONTO Syntax Is: NP1[agent] CLUTCH NP2[patient]

Examples:
The sales clerk quickly clutched the money from the counter.
She clutched her purse nervously.
Birds of prey clutch small animals in their talons.
She clutched on my arm when she got scared.
Brokers clutch folders in long lines waiting to speak to the
underwriters.
Mr. Noriega believes he hasn't any alternative but to keep clutching
onto power.

Mappings:
VerbNet: hold-15.1-1
FrameNet: Manipulation
PropBank: clutch.01
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 1

Sense Number 2: Affect emotionally or perceptually.

Commentary: Syntax Is: NP1[stimulus[abstract]] CLUTCH NP2[patient[animate]]

Examples:
Fear clutched the prisoners.
A sensation of dread clutched me and I was immobilized.
The patient was clutched by unbearable pains.
He was clutched by the effects of a terrible disease.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM
WordNet 3.0 Sense Numbers: 3

Sense Number 3: (Cause to) change gears using manual transmission.

Examples:
The bus clutched abruptly into second gear.
I clutched into third and let the engine fly.

Mappings:
VerbNet: NM
FrameNet: NM
PropBank: NM