cramp

 
Pronunciation: /kramp/

noun

  • 1 [mass noun] painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles, typically caused by fatigue or strain: an attack of cramp [count noun]: he suffered severe cramps in his foot
  • (cramps) North American abdominal pain caused by menstruation.
  • 2a tool, typically shaped like a capital G, for clamping two objects together for gluing or other work.
  • (also cramp-iron) a metal bar with bent ends for holding masonry together: the facade is built of travertine blocks without mortar but held by metal cramps

verb

  • 1 [with object] inhibit the development of: tighter rules will cramp economic growth
  • 2 [with object] fasten with a cramp or cramps: cramp the gates to the posts
  • 3 [no object] suffer from sudden and painful contractions of a muscle or muscles: in the final game, Chang cramped severely

Phrases

cramp someone's style

informal prevent a person from acting freely or naturally: he’s not putting any pressure on me that would cramp my style

Origin:

late Middle English: from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch krampe; sense 1 of the noun is via Old French crampe