To fasten with a clip or to embrace closely and tightly.
From be- prefix plus clip, which comes from Old Norse klippa meaning 'to cut' or 'to clip.' Originally clip meant to cut wool from sheep, but later came to mean 'to hold tightly' or 'to fasten with a clasp,' shifts that show how 'cutting' and 'holding' were conceptually linked.
The word 'clip' actually has two completely different meanings in English (cut apart vs. hold together), and linguists think the 'hold' meaning comes from how clipping shears work—you clip something by bringing two pieces together. It's a great example of how meaning can shift from the action to what it produces!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.