ETYM Old Eng. cloche, cloke, claw, Scot. clook, cleuck, also Old Eng. cleche claw, clechen, cleken, to seize; cf. AS. gelaeccan (where ge- is a prefix) to seize. Related to Latch a catch.
1. Connects or disconnects driving and driven parts of a driving mechanism.
2. The mechanism that operates a clutch, such as a pedal (in a car).
3. A tense critical situation.
4. A number of birds hatched at the same time.