cramp Definition

cramp¹
noun

1. A painful involuntary prolonged contraction of a muscle or group of muscles.

Thesaurus: spasm, stitch, contraction, twinge, kink, convulsion, crick, pang.
2. Severe abdominal pain.

Form: cramps

verb

cramped, cramping
1. To restrict with or as with a cramp.

Thesaurus: hinder, restrict, obstruct, inhibit.

Idiom: cramp someone's style

To restrict or prevent them from acting freely or creatively.

Etymology: 14c: from French crampe.

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cramp²
noun

1. A piece of metal bent at both ends, used for holding stone or timbers together.

Form: cramp-iron

verb

cramped, cramping
1. To fasten with a cramp.

Etymology: 16c: from Dutch crampe hook.