The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Clutch \Clutch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Clutched (kl[u^]cht); p.
   pr. & vb. n. Clutching.] [OE. clucchen. See Clutch, n.]
   1. To seize, clasp, or grip with the hand, hands, or claws;
      -- often figuratively; as, to clutch power.
      [1913 Webster]

            A man may set the poles together in his head, and
            clutch the whole globe at one intellectual grasp.
                                                  --Collier.
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            Is this a dagger which I see before me . . . ?
            Come, let me clutch thee.             --Shak.
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   2. To close tightly; to clinch.
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            Not that I have the power to clutch my hand. --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Clutch \Clutch\ (kl[u^]ch; 224), n. [OE. cloche, cloke, claw,
   Scot. clook, cleuck, also OE. cleche claw, clechen, cleken,
   to seize; cf. AS. gel[ae]ccan (where ge- is a prefix) to
   seize. Cf. Latch a catch.]
   1. A gripe or clinching with, or as with, the fingers or
      claws; seizure; grasp. "The clutch of poverty." --Cowper.
      [1913 Webster]

            An expiring clutch at popularity.     --Carlyle.
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            But Age, with his stealing steps,
            Hath clawed me in his clutch.         --Shak.
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   2. pl. The hands, claws, or talons, in the act of grasping
      firmly; -- often figuratively, for power, rapacity, or
      cruelty; as, to fall into the clutches of an adversary.
      [1913 Webster]

            I must have . . . little care of myself, if I ever
            more come near the clutches of such a giant. --Bp.
                                                  Stillingfleet.
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   3. (Mach.) A device which is used for coupling shafting,
      etc., so as to transmit motion, and which may be
      disengaged at pleasure.
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   4. Any device for gripping an object, as at the end of a
      chain or tackle.
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   5. (Zool.) The nest complement of eggs of a bird.
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   Bayonet clutch (Mach.), a clutch in which connection is
      made by means of bayonets attached to arms sliding on a
      feathered shaft. The bayonets slide through holes in a
      crosshead fastened on the shaft.
      [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Clutch \Clutch\, v. i.
   1. To reach (at something) as if to grasp; to catch or
      snatch; -- often followed by at.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. to become too tense or frightened to perform properly;
      used sometimes with up; as, he clutched up on the exam.
      [PJC]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

clutch
    n 1: the act of grasping; "he released his clasp on my arm"; "he
         has a strong grip for an old man"; "she kept a firm hold on
         the railing" [syn: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches,
         grasp, grip, hold]
    2: a tense critical situation; "he is a good man in the clutch"
    3: a number of birds hatched at the same time
    4: a collection of things or persons to be handled together
       [syn: batch, clutch]
    5: a woman's strapless purse that is carried in the hand [syn:
       clutch bag, clutch]
    6: a pedal or lever that engages or disengages a rotating shaft
       and a driving mechanism; "he smoothely released the clutch
       with one foot and stepped on the gas with the other" [syn:
       clutch, clutch pedal]
    7: a coupling that connects or disconnects driving and driven
       parts of a driving mechanism; "this year's model has an
       improved clutch"
    v 1: take hold of; grab; "The sales clerk quickly seized the
         money on the counter"; "She clutched her purse"; "The
         mother seized her child by the arm"; "Birds of prey often
         seize small mammals" [syn: seize, prehend, clutch]
    2: hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm
       when she got scared" [syn: cling to, hold close, hold
       tight, clutch]
    3: affect; "Fear seized the prisoners"; "The patient was seized
       with unbearable pains"; "He was seized with a dreadful
       disease" [syn: seize, clutch, get hold of]