cramp

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A painful contraction of a muscle which cannot be controlled; (sometimes) a similar pain even without noticeable contraction.
2. (countable, uncountable) That which confines or contracts.
3. (countable, uncountable) A clamp for carpentry or masonry.
4. (countable, uncountable) A piece of wood having a curve corresponding to that of the upper part of the instep, on which the upper leather of a boot is stretched to give it the requisite shape.

Verb

1. (intransitive) (of a muscle) To contract painfully and uncontrollably.
2. (transitive) To affect with cramps or spasms.
3. (figuratively, transitive) To prohibit movement or expression of.
4. (transitive) To restrain to a specific physical position, as if with a cramp.
5. To fasten or hold with, or as if with, a cramp iron.
6. (broadly) To bind together; to unite.
7. To form on a cramp.

Adj

cramped; narrow

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kɹæmp/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: crampe

Cognate with English: crop

In summary

From Middle English crampe, from Old French crampe (“cramp”), from Frankish *krampa (“cramp”), from Proto-West Germanic *krampu, from Proto-Germanic *krampō (“cramp, clasp”). Distant relative of English crop.

Synonyms

spasm

convulsion

clamp

🗜️

confine

crick

restrict

staple

hamper

dog

🐕

stiff

kink

pins and needles

limit

convulse

constrict

circumscribe

strangle

clench

tighten

crowd

vise

twitch

scotch

squeeze

sprain

fit

obstruct

contract

check

muscle spasm

hook

🪝

cramp iron

gripper

halter

restrain

clinch

bracer

block up

avert

close

block out

clip

enfold

blockade

arrest

abridge

embarrass

filibuster

dispirit

deter

Translations

crampe

calambre

crampo

Krampf

kramp

cãibra

rampa

kramp

clameau

Klammer

🗜️

entraver

espasme

crampon

einklammern

gêner