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Crampon - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A crampon is a metal spike or set of spikes attached to footwear for traction on ice or snow, commonly used in mountaineering and ice climbing.

crampon

/ˈkræmpɑn/ /ˈkræmpən/

Definition:

A metal spike or plate attached to footwear for climbing or walking on ice.

Synonyms:

cleat, spike, ice grip, climbing iron

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

smooth sole, flat shoe

Common Collocations:

ice climbing, mountain boots, snowy terrain, glacier trekking

Derivatives:

cramponed, cramponing

Usage Tips:

Use 'crampon' when referring to climbing gear for icy surfaces; avoid confusion with general footwear terms.

Common Phrases:

strap-on crampons, technical crampons, lightweight crampons

Etymology:

From French 'crampon,' meaning 'hook' or 'clamp,' derived from Germanic roots.

Examples:

  • 1. The hiker strapped crampons to his boots for the icy trail.
  • 2. Crampons provide essential traction on slippery glaciers.
  • 3. She bought new crampons before her mountain expedition.
  • 4. Without crampons, climbing the frozen waterfall would be dangerous.

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