cramp
1 (krămp)
[Middle English crampe, from Old French, of Germanic origin.]
noun
- A sudden, involuntary, spasmodic muscular contraction causing severe pain, often occurring in the leg or shoulder as the result of strain or chill.
- A temporary partial paralysis of habitually or excessively used muscles.
- Spasmodic contractions of the uterus, such as those occurring during menstruation or labor, usually causing pain in the abdomen that may radiate to the lower back and thighs.
verb: cramped, cramp·ing, cramps.
transitive verb
- To affect with or as if with a cramp.
intransitive verb
- To suffer from or experience cramps.
cramp
2 (krămp)
[Middle English crampe, probably from Middle Dutch, hook, cramp, Adj., probably akin to Icelandic krappr, constrained, tight, and Old High German cramf, squeezed.]
noun
- A frame with an adjustable part to hold pieces together; a clamp.
- A cramp iron.
- A compressing or restraining force, influence, or thing.
- A confined position or part.
transitive verb: cramped, cramp·ing, cramps.
- To hold together with a cramp.
- To shut in so closely as to restrict the physical freedom of: were cramped in the tiny cubicle.
- To steer (the wheels of a vehicle) to make a turn.
- To jam (a wheel) by a short turn.
adjective
- Cramped.
idioms
- cramp (one's) style
- To restrict or prevent from free action or expression.
