Clawshaped

Clawshaped is an adjective used to describe objects or structures that resemble a claw in form: typically curved, tapering, and ending in a pointed tip, often with a broader base. The term is descriptive rather than a formal classification and is applied across disciplines to convey silhouette and projection.

In botany, claw-shaped describes parts that narrow into a slender stalk or base, giving a claw-like appearance. For example, some petals or sepals are said to have a “claw” at their base, creating a distinct taper from the main blade. In zoology and paleontology, claw-shaped references are used for appendages, teeth, or horn cores that curve and taper to a tip, suggesting a grasping or piercing function.

In other fields such as geology or mineralogy, claw-like protrusions or crystal habits may be described as claw-shaped, though this usage is less standardized and more comparative, emphasizing visual similarity rather than a defined category.

Etymology-wise, the term derives from the English word “claw,” with the suffix “-shaped” indicating a form or silhouette.

See also:

- Claw

- Talon

- Pincer

- Morphology

- Crystal habit