clasp

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
clasp/klɑːsp/

▶verb

• 1 grasp tightly with one's hand.

  ■ place (one's arms) around something so as to hold it tightly.

  ■ embrace (someone) closely.

• 2 fasten with a clasp.

▶noun

• 1 a device with interlocking parts, for fastening things together.

• 2 an inscribed silver bar on a medal ribbon.

• 3 an act of clasping.

– phrases
clasp hands shake hands with fervour or affection.

– origin ME: of unknown origin.