[mass noun]painful involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscles, typically caused by fatigue or strain (多指疲倦或过度劳累导致的)痉挛,抽筋 an attack of cramp. 一阵痉挛。 [count noun]he suffered severe cramps in his foot. 他的脚抽筋得厉害。 ■(cramps)(N. Amer.)abdominal pain caused by menstruation (北美)(经期的)腹痛
a tool, typically shaped like a capital G, for clamping two objects together for gluing or other work (形状多如大写G的)夹钳 ■(亦作 cramp-iron)a metal bar with bent ends for holding masonry together 铁夹钳
verb
[with obj.]restrict or inhibit the development of 限制、阻止(发展) tighter rules will cramp economic growth. 更严格的规定会束缚经济的发展。
[with obj.]fasten with a cramp or cramps 用夹子夹紧;用铁钳固定 cramp the gates to the posts. 把门固定在柱子上。
[no obj.]suffer from sudden and painful contractions of a muscle or muscles 抽筋;肌肉痉挛
常用词组 cramp someone's style
(informal)prevent a person from acting freely or naturally (非正式)使人不能自由行事
语源
late Middle English: from Middle Low German and Middle Dutch krampe; sense 1 of the noun is via Old French crampe