Dictionary![]() ![]() crampPronunciation: (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. crampPronunciation: (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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