something rigid that holds fast or binds things together; a piece of wood or metal, used to hold two or more pieces together.-an instrument with a screw or screws by which work is held in its place or two parts are temporarily held together.-a piece of wood placed across another, or inserted into another, to bind or strengthen.-one of a pair of movable pieces of lead, or other soft material, to cover the jaws of a vise and enable it to grasp without bruising.-a thick plank on the inner part of a ship's side, used to sustain the ends of beams.-a mass of bricks heaped up to be burned; or of ore for roasting, or of coal for coking.-a mollusk. see clam.-to fasten with a clamp or clamps; to apply a clamp to; to place in a clamp.-to cover, as vegetables, with earth.-a heavy footstep; a tramp.-to tread heavily or clumsily; to clump.