aferrar
cling
ferro-
iron
+
-ar
verb suffix
Aferrar means to cling and can be remembered by thinking of ferro-0 (iron0) + -ar1 (verb suffix1), as if 'clinging like iron'.
verb
- clingTo grasp or hold onto something tightlyEl niño se aferró a su madre cuando vio al extraño. // The child clung to his mother when he saw the stranger.