Klaue

• IPA^(key): /ˈklaʊ̯ə/

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

From Middle High German klāwe, from Old High German klāwa, from Proto-Germanic *klēwō. Immediately cognate with Luxembourgish Klo, Westphalian Low German Klao(we), West Frisian klei, and possibly Dutch klauw. Also related with English claw (from Proto-Germanic *klawō) and Danish klo (from *klōwō).

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 ― to escape the claws of death

   jemanden in den Klauen haben ― to have someone in one's claws

   jemandem in die Klauen fallen ― to fall in someone's claws

4. (slang, chiefly derogatory, figurative) hand

   Synonyms: Kralle, Flosse, Pfote

   Nimm deine schmutzigen Klauen weg! ― Take your filthy claws away!

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

• Dreiklauer
• Kieferklauenträger

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