Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CLAMP, n. [D. klamp; G. klammer, klemmen; Dan. klamp; W. clymu, to tie.]

1. In general, something that fastens or binds; a piece of timber or of iron, used to fasten work together; or a particular manner of uniting work by letting boards into each other.
2. In ship-building, a thick plank on the inner part of a ship's side, used to sustain the ends of the beams.
3. A smooth crooked plate of iron forelocked on the trunnions of a cannon to keep it fast to the carriage. Clamps are also used to strengthen masts, and to fasten the masts and bowsprits of small vessels and of boats. – Mar. Dict.
4. A pile of bricks laid up for burning, in which the end of one brick is laid over another, and a space is left between the bricks for the fire to ascend. – Encyc. Clamp-irons, irons used at the ends of fires to keep the fuel from falling. – Bailey. Clamp-nails, nails used to fasten on clamps in ships.