clamp

CLAMP, noun 1. In general, something that fastens or binds; a piece of timber or of iron, used to fasten work together; or a particular manner of uniting work by letting boards into each other. 2. In ship-building, a thick plank on the inner part of a ships side, used to sustain the ends of the beams. 3. A smooth crooked plate of iron forelocked on the trunnions of a cannon to keep it fast to the carriage. Clamps are also used to strengthen masts, and to fasten the masts and bowsprits of small vessels and of boats. 4. A pile of bricks laid up for burning, in which the end of one brick is laid over another, and a space is left between the bricks for the fire to ascend. CLAMP-irons, irons used at the ends of fires to keep the fuel from falling. CLAMP-nails, nails used to fasten on clamps in ships. CLAMP, verb transitive 1. To fasten with clamps. 2. In joinery, to fit a piece of board with the grain, to the end of another piece of board across the grain; as, to clamp a table to prevent its warping.