1. (n.) Something rigid that holds fast or binds things together; a piece of wood or metal, used to hold two or more pieces together.

2. (n.) An instrument with a screw or screws by which work is held in its place or two parts are temporarily held together.

3. (n.) A piece of wood placed across another, or inserted into another, to bind or strengthen.

4. (n.) One of a pair of movable pieces of lead, or other soft material, to cover the jaws of a vise and enable it to grasp without bruising.

5. (n.) A thick plank on the inner part of a ship's side, used to sustain the ends of beams.

6. (n.) A mass of bricks heaped up to be burned; or of ore for roasting, or of coal for coking.

7. (n.) A mollusk. See Clam.

8. (v. t.) To fasten with a clamp or clamps; to apply a clamp to; to place in a clamp.

9. (v. t.) To cover, as vegetables, with earth.

10. (n.) A heavy footstep; a tramp.

11. (v. i.) To tread heavily or clumsily; to clump.

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