Daily Almanac for
Nov 8, 2009
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cramp



Pronunciation: (kramp), [key]
—n.
1. Often, cramps.
a. a sudden, involuntary, spasmodic contraction of a muscle or group of muscles, esp. of the extremities, sometimes with severe pain.
b. a piercing pain in the abdomen.
c. an intermittent, painful contraction of structures of a wall containing involuntary muscle, as in biliary colic or in the uterine contractions of menstruation or of labor.
2. See writer's cramp.

—v.t.
to affect with or as if with a cramp.

cramp



Pronunciation: (kramp), [key]
—n.
1. See cramp iron.
2. a portable frame or tool with a movable part that can be screwed up to hold things together; clamp.
3. anything that confines or restrains.
4. a cramped state or part.

—v.t.
1. to fasten or hold with a cramp.
2. to confine narrowly; restrict; restrain; hamper.
3. to turn (the front wheels of a motor vehicle) by means of the steering gear; steer.
4. cramp one's style, Informal.to prevent one from showing one's best abilities.

—adj.
cramped2.

Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.

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