Klaue

• IPA^(key): /ˈklaʊ̯ə/

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From Middle High German klawe, from Old High German klāwa, from Proto-Germanic *klawō. Compare Dutch klauw, English claw, Danish klo.

Klaue f (genitive Klaue, plural Klauen, diminutive Kläuchen n or Kläulein n)

1. claw, talon

   Synonym: Kralle

2. cloven hoof
3. (figurative, chiefly in the plural) control

   den Klauen des Todes entweichen ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   jemanden in den Klauen haben ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

   jemandem in die Klauen fallen ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

4. (slang, chiefly derogatory, figurative) hand

   Synonyms: Kralle, Flosse, Pfote

   Nimm deine schmutzigen Klauen weg! ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

5. (slang, derogatory) chicken scratch (poor handwriting)

   Synonyms: (Austria) Kraxe, Sauklaue

6. part of hook-like shape, especially with the purpose of grasping, gripping
   1. triangular recess at the junction of two beams
   2. a projection on a machine part which, when engaged or engaged in a correspondingly shaped recess in another machine part, makes a detachable connection with the latter

Back-formation from klauen

Klaue f (genitive Klaue, no plural)

1. stealing

   auf Klaue gehen ― (please add an English translation of this usage example)

• “Klaue” in Deutsches Wörterbuch von Jacob und Wilhelm Grimm, 16 vols., Leipzig 1854–1961.
• “Klaue” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
• “Klaue (Kralle, Handschrift, Bauteil)” in Duden online
• “Klaue (Diebstahl)” in Duden online