Emily Dickinson Lexicon

clutch (-ed), v. [ME clucche; ME cloke was gradually assimilated in form to clutch, to grasp with claws.] (webplay: hand).

1. Grasp; clench; hold tightly.
2. Snatch; grab; make an eager effort to seize.
3. Hold; cling to; hang onto; [fig.] insist on; interrogate with; repeat over and over.