cramp

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
cramp/kramp/

▶noun

• 1 painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles, typically caused by fatigue or strain.

  ■ (cramps) N. Amer. abdominal pain caused by menstruation.

• 2 a tool, typically shaped like a capital G, for clamping two objects together.

  ■ (also cramp-iron) a metal bar with bent ends for holding masonry together.

▶verb

• 1 restrict or inhibit the development of.

• 2 fasten with a cramp or cramps.

• 3 suffer from cramp.

– phrases
cramp someone's style informal prevent a person from acting freely or naturally.

– origin ME: from Mid. Low Ger. and MDu. krampe; sense 1 of the noun is via OFr. crampe.