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Glite Dictionary
clawhammer

clawhammer

1 5.6
A hammer with a curved end for pulling out nails
  • noun
  • /ˈklɔːˌhæmər/
translation icon : martillo de garra

Examples

  • How can I sound more like a clawhammer banjo?

    Blog text (11)

  • You know, he's the, uh, old sourpuss with all the charm of a clawhammer.

    VFW (2019)

  • Backed by the Virginia Playboys, the show will be jam-packed with hard-driving bluegrass, old-time clawhammer banjo, and gospel music.

    Blog text (6)

  • He used a clawhammer to pull out the nails from the old wooden plank.

  • With the clawhammer in hand, she easily removed the rusty nails from the door frame.

  • The carpenter reached for a clawhammer when it was time to take apart the furniture.

Synonyms

hammer
vsclawhammer
188 1.0

A tool with a heavy head for hitting nails or wood

is a specific type with a curved split end for removing nails
claw hammer
vsclawhammer
3 2.9

A tool like a hammer with a curved end used to pull nails

is the same tool but written as a single word term
carpenter's hammer
vsclawhammer
1 3.5

A hammer with a split curved end used to pull nails

is the same in shape and use but differs only in naming

Surface Forms

clawhammer singular
clawhammers plural

Morphology

clawhammer = claw + hammer (semi-transparent) = claw + hammer

The components 'claw' and 'hammer' are clear, but the specific meaning of a hammer with a claw for pulling nails is a specialized tool.

Etymology

Clawhammer is made of two plain words: claw, meaning 'hook', and hammer, the tool for 'hitting'. So a clawhammer is a hammer with a hooked, curved end used to pull out nails.