Seize many a venomous creature (5)

I believe the answer is:

clasp

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'seize' is the definition.
(I know that clasp is a kind of seize)

'many a venomous creature' is the wordplay.
'many a' becomes 'cl' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'venomous creature' becomes 'asp' (venomous snake).
'cl'+'asp'='CLASP'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for clasp that I've seen before include "Hug" , "Close hands round" , "Bar on a medal ribbon" , "Handshake or fastening device" , "Tightly grip" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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