List of Abbreviations Used in This Dictionary

Clap, klap, n. gonorrhea. [Cf. Dut. klapoor.]

Claque, klak, n. an institution for securing the success of a public performance, by bestowing upon it preconcerted applause.—n. Claq′ueur, a member of the claque. [Fr. claquer, to clap.]

Clarabella, klar-a-bel′a, n. an organ-stop of a sweet fluty tone.

Clarence, klar′ens, n. a four-wheeled carriage, seated inside for two or more persons. [Named after William IV. when Duke of Clarence.]

Clarenceux, Clarencieux, klar′en-sū, n. (her.) the second king-of-arms in England, so named from the Duke of Clarence, son of Edward III.

Clarendon, klar′en-don, n. (print.) a form of type having a heavy face.

Clare-obscure. Same as Chiaroscuro.

Claret, klar′et, n. originally applied to wines of a light-red colour, but now used in England for the dark-red wines of Bordeaux: (slang) blood.—v.i. to drink claret.—ns. Clar′et-cup, a drink made up of iced claret, brandy, sugar, &c.; Clar′et-jug, a fancy jug for holding claret. [Fr. clairet—clair—L. clarus, clear.]

Clarify, klar′i-fī, v.t. to make clear or pure.—v.i. to become clear:—pr.p. clar′ifying; pa.p. clar′ified.—ns. Clarificā′tion; Clar′ifier, that which clarifies or purifies. [L. clarus, clear, and facĕre, to make.]

Clarion, klar′i-on, n. a kind of trumpet whose note is clear and shrill: the sound of a trumpet, or a sound resembling that of a trumpet.—ns. Clar′inet, Clar′ionet, a wind-instrument, usually of wood, in which the sound is produced by a single thin reed.—The Bass Clarinet is pitched an octave lower than the ordinary clarinet. [Fr. clairon—clair—L. clarus, clear.]

Clarity, klar′i-ti, n. clearness. [M. E. clarté—L. claritas.]

Clarty, klar′ti, adj. (Scot.) sticky and dirty. [Der. unknown.]

Clary, klār′i, n. a biennial with clammy stem, large, heart-shaped, rough, doubly crenate leaves, and whorls of pale-blue flowers in loose terminal spikes, with large coloured bracts. [Low L. sclarea. Origin unknown.]

Clash, klash, n. a loud noise, such as is caused by the striking together of weapons: opposition: contradiction: (Scot.) chatter, country talk.—v.i. to dash noisily together: to meet in opposition: to act in a contrary direction: to disagree: (Scot.) to gossip.—v.t. to strike noisily against.—n. Clash′ing, a striking against: opposition. [Formed from the sound, like Ger. and Sw. klatsch.]

Clasp, klasp, n. a hook for fastening: an embrace.—v.t. to fasten with a clasp: to enclose and hold in the hand or arms: to embrace.—ns. Clasp′er, that which clasps: the tendril of a plant; Clasp′ing; Clasp′-knife, a knife the blade of which folds into the handle. [M. E. clapse, from the root of A.S. clyppan, to embrace. See Clip.]

Class, klas, n. a rank or order of persons or things: high rank or social standing: a number of students or scholars who are taught together: a scientific division or arrangement: the position in order of merit of students after examination.—v.t. to form into a class or classes: to arrange methodically.—v.i. to take rank.—adjs. Class′able, Class′ible, capable of being classed.—ns. Class′-fell′ow, Class′-mate, a pupil in the same class at school or college; Class′ic, any great writer or work: a student of the ancient classics: a standard work: (pl.) Greek, Roman, and modern writers of the first rank, or their works.—adjs. Class′ic, -al, of the highest class or rank, esp. in literature: originally and chiefly used of the best Greek and Roman writers: (as opposed to Romantic) like in style to the authors of Greece and Rome: chaste, refined, in keeping with classical art: famous for literary or historical reasons.—ns. Classical′ity, Class′icalness, the quality of being classical.—adv. Class′ically.—ns. Class′icism, a classical idiom; Class′icist, one versed in the classics, or devoted to their being retained in education; Class′-lead′er, the leader of a class in a Methodist church; Class′man, one who has gained honours of a certain class at the Oxford examinations—opp. to Passman.—Classic races, the five chief annual horse-races—the Two Thousand, One Thousand, Derby, Oaks, and St Leger.—Take a class, to take honours in an examination, as opposed to the mere 'pass.' [Fr. classe—L. classis, cog. with L. calāre, Gr. kalein.]

Classify, klas′i-fī, v.t. to make or form into classes: to arrange:—pr.p. class′ifying; pa.p. class′ified.—adjs. Classifī′able, capable of being classified; Classif′ic, denoting classes.—n. Classificā′tion, act of forming into classes: distribution into classes.—adj. Class′ificātory.—n. Class′ifīer. [L. classis, and facĕre, to make.]

Classis, klas′is, n. a group: judicatory. [L.]

Clastic, klas′tik, adj. breaking into fragments, fragmental. [Gr. klastos—klan, to break.]

Clatch, klach, v.t. (Scot.) to daub.—n. mire, anything for daubing.

Clatch, klach, v.t. (Scot.) to finish carelessly, to botch.—n. a piece of work spoiled or botched.

Clatch, klach, n. (Scot.) a kind of gig.

Clathrate, klath′rāt, adj. latticed—also Clath′roid.—adjs. Clath′rose, crossed by deep rectangular furrows; Clath′rulate, finely clathrate. [L. clath-rāre, -ātum, to furnish with a lattice—Gr. klēthra, a lattice.]

Clatter, klat′ėr, n. a repeated rattling noise: a repetition of abrupt, sharp sounds: noisy talk: (Burns) gossip.—v.i. to make rattling sounds: to rattle with the tongue: to talk fast and idly.—v.t. to strike so as to produce a rattling.—adv. Clatt′eringly. [Acc. to Skeat, clatter = clacker, a freq. of Clack.]

Claude Lorraine glass, n. a convex mirror, usually coloured, employed for viewing landscape. [Named after the painter Claude Lorraine (1600-82).]

Claudian, klaw′di-an, adj. pertaining to the Roman emperors of the Claudian gens (Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero), or their period (14-68 A.D.).

Claudication, klaw-di-kā′shun, n. a halting, a limp. [L.,—claudus, lame.]

Claught, kläht, v.t. (Scot.) to snatch.—n. a hold, catch. [Cf. Cleek.]

Clause, klawz, n. a sentence or part of a sentence: an article or part of a contract, will, &c.—adj. Claus′ular, pertaining to, or consisting of, a clause or clauses. [Fr. clause—L. clausus—claudĕre, to shut.]

Claustral, klaws′tral, adj. cloistral, secluded, pertaining to a claustrum.—ns. Claustrā′tion, the act of shutting in a cloister; Claustrophō′bia, a morbid dread of confined places.—adj. Claustrophob′ic.

Claustrum, klaws′trum, n. a thin layer of gray matter in the substance of the hemispheres of the brain:—pl. Claus′tra. [L.]

Claut, klat, n. a kind of rake: (Scot.) what is raked, a rakeful.—v.t. to scratch, claw.—n.pl. Clats, slops.—adj. Clat′ty, dirty. [Perh. conn. with Claw.]

Clavate, -d, klā′vāt, -ed, adj. (bot.) club-shaped: gradually thickening to the top.—n. Clavā′tion, articulation in a socket.—adjs. Clav′ellate, having club-shaped processes; Clav′iform, in the form of a club.—n. Clav′iger, a club-bearer.—adj. Clavig′erous, club-bearing. [From L. clava, a club.]

Clave, klāv, pa.t. of Cleave.

Clavecin, klav′e-sin, n. a harpsichord.—n. Clav′ecinist (Browning), a player on the clavecin. [Fr. clavecin—L. clavis, a key.]

Claver, klā′vėr, n. idle talk, gossip.—v.i. to talk idly. [Scotch; der. uncertain; cf. Gael. clabaire.]

Clavichord, klav′i-kord, n. an obsolete musical instrument, of the same form as the Harpsichord and Spinet.—n. Clav′iharp, a harp struck with keys like a piano. [L. clavis, a key, chorda, a string.]

Clavicle, klav′i-kl, n. an important part of the pectoral girdle of vertebrates, best known in the collar-bone of man and in the merry-thought of birds—also Clavic′ula.—adj. Clavic′ular. [Fr. clavicule—L. clavicula, dim. of clavis, a key.]

Clavicorn, klav′i-korn, adj. having clavate antennæ.—n. a member of the Clavicornia, a group of Coleoptera or beetles. [L. clava, a club, cornu, a horn.]

Clavier, kla-vēr′, n. the keyboard of a musical instrument: a stringed instrument, esp. the pianoforte. [Fr.,—L. clavis, a key.]

Clavis, klă′vis, n. a key, hence a clue or aid for solving problems, interpreting a cipher, &c.:—pl. Clā′ves.—n. Clav′iger, one who keeps a key, a custodian.—adj. Clavig′erous, keeping keys. [L., a key.]

Claw, klaw, n. the hooked nail of a beast or bird: the whole foot of an animal with hooked nails: anything like a claw: an instrument shaped like a claw.—v.t. to scratch or tear as with the claws or nails: to scrape; to seize: (fig.) to flatter, fawn on.—n. Claw′back, a toady, flatterer.—adj. Clawed, having claws.—ns. Claw-hamm′er, a hammer with one part of the head divided into two claws, with which to extract nails; Claw′-hamm′er-coat, a facetious name for a dress-coat.—adj. Claw′less.—Claw me and I'll claw thee, favour me and I shall do you good in return. [A.S. clawu; cog. with Ger. klaue; akin to Cleave, to stick.]

Clay, klā, n. a tenacious ductile earth: earth in general: the human body: short for clay-pipe, a tobacco-pipe made of baked clay.—v.t. to purify with clay, as sugar.—adjs. Clay′-brained (Shak.), stupid; Clay′-cold, cold as clay, lifeless.—n. Clay′-eat′er, one addicted to chewing a fatty clay—in Brazil and elsewhere.—adjs. Clayed, clay-like; Clay′ey, made of clay: covered with clay.—n. Clay′-ground, ground consisting mainly of clay.—adj. Clay′ish, of the nature of clay.—ns. Clay′-marl, a whitish chalky clay; Clay′-mill, a mill for preparing clay; Clay′-slate, an argillaceous rock, splitting readily into thin sheets; Clay′stone, one of the concretionary nodules in alluvial deposits.—Wet one's clay, to drink. [A.S. clæg; cf. Dan. klæg, Ger. klei.]

Claymore, klā′mōr, n. a large sword formerly used by the Scottish Highlanders, the old Celtic one-handed, two-edged longsword, now applied inaccurately to the basket-hilted sword of the officers of Highland regiments. [Gael. claidheamh-mor—Gael. and Ir. claidheamh, sword, mor, great.]

Clean, klē′n, adj. free from dirt, stain, or whatever defiles: pure: guiltless: neat: complete.—adv. quite: entirely: cleverly.—v.t. to make clean, or free from dirt.—ns. Clean′or, that which cleans; Clean′ing, the act of making clean.—adj. Clean′-limbed, having well-proportioned limbs: smart.—n. Clean′liness.—adj. Clean′ly, clean in habits or person: pure: neat.—adv. in a cleanly manner.—n. Clean′ness.—adj. Clean′-tim′bered (Shak.), well-proportioned.—Clean bill of health (see Bill of health).—Have clean hands, to be free from the guilt of wrong-doing.—Make a clean breast of, to own up frankly, to confess fully; Show a clean pair of heels, to escape by running.—The clean thing, the right thing to do. [A.S. clǽne; W., Gael. glan, shine, polish; Ger. klein, small.]

Cleanse, klenz, v.t. to make clean or pure.—adj. Cleans′able.—ns. Cleans′er, one who, or that which, cleanses; Cleans′ing, purification.

Clear, klēr, adj. pure, bright, undimmed: free from obstruction or difficulty: plain, distinct: without blemish, defect, drawback, or diminution: conspicuous: transparent.—adv. in a clear manner: plainly: wholly: quite.—v.t. to make clear: to empty: to free from obscurity, obstruction, or guilt: to free, acquit, or vindicate; to leap, or pass by or over; to make profit: to settle a bill.—v.i. to become clear: to grow free, bright, or transparent.—ns. Clear′age, a piece of land cleared; Clear′ance, act of clearing: removal of hinderances: a certificate that a ship has been cleared at the custom-house—that is, has satisfied all demands and procured permission to sail.—adjs. Clear′-eyed, clear-sighted, discerning; Clear′-head′ed, having a clear understanding, sagacious.—ns. Clear′ing, the act of making clear: a tract of land cleared of wood, &c., for cultivation: a method by which bankers exchange cheques and drafts, and arrange the differences; Clear′ing-house, a place in London where such clearing business is done; Clear′ing-nut, the seed of Strychnos potatorum, used in the East Indies for clearing muddy water.—adv. Clear′ly, in a clear manner: distinctly.—ns. Clear′ness; Clear′-obscure′ (see Chiaroscuro).—adj. Clear′-sight′ed, having clearness of sight: discerning.—ns. Clear′-sight′edness; Clear′-starch′er, a laundress; Clear′-starch′ing, the act of stiffening linen with clear starch; Clear-story (see Clerestory).—Clear out, to be off; Clear the way, to make the way open; Clear up, to become clear. [Fr. clair—L. clarus, clear.]

Cleat, klēt, n. a wedge: a piece of wood nailed across anything to keep it in its place or give it an additional strength: a piece of wood fastened on parts of a ship, and having holes or recesses for fastening ropes.—v.t. to strengthen with a cleat. [From a supposed A.S. cléat; cf. Dut. kloot; Dan. klode; Ger. kloss.]

Cleave, klēv, v.t. to divide, to split: to separate with violence: to go through: to pierce.—v.i. to part asunder: to crack:—pr.p. cleav′ing; pa.t. clōve or cleft; pa.p. clov′en or cleft.—adj. Cleav′able, capable of being cleft.—ns. Cleav′age, a condition of rocks in which they split easily into thin plates; Cleav′er, one who or that which cleaves: a butcher's chopper; Cleav′ers, Cliv′ers, goose-grass—Galium aperine, diuretic and sudorific.—adj. Cleav′ing, splitting. [A.S. cleófan; cog. with Ger. klieben.]

Cleave, klēv, v.i. to stick or adhere: to unite:—pr.p. cleav′ing; pa.t. cleaved or clāve; pa.p. cleaved.—n. Cleav′ing, the act of adhering. [A.S. clifian; cog. with Ger. kleben, Dut. kleven.]

Cleché, klesh′ā, adj. (her.) voided or hollowed throughout, as a cross showing only a narrow bolder. [Fr.]

Cleck, klek, v.t. to hatch.—n. Cleck′ing, a brood. [Scot.,—Ice. klekja; cf. Dan. klække, to hatch.]

Cleddyo, kled′yō, n. an antique leaf-shaped bronze Celtic sword. [W. cleddeu, cleddyf; L. gladius.]

Cleek, klēk, n. a large hook for catching hold of something, used in fishing, &c.: an iron-headed golf-club: a peg.—v.t. to seize, snatch. [M. E. kleken; perh. related to Clutch.]

Clef, klef, n. a musical character placed on the staff by which the absolute pitch of the notes is fixed. [Fr., from L. clavis; Gr. kleis, a key.]

Cleft, kleft, pa.t. and pa.p. of Cleave.

Cleft, kleft, n. an opening made by cleaving or splitting: a crack, fissure, or chink.—Also Clift (B.). [Cf. Ger. kluft, Dan. klyft, a hole.]

Cleft-palate. See Palate.

Cleg, kleg, n. the gadfly, horse-fly. [Ice. kleggi.]

Clem, klem, v.i. and v.t. to starve. [Prov. Eng. clam; Ger. klemmen, to pinch.]

Clematis, klem′a-tis, n. a creeping plant, called also Virgin's Bower and Traveller's Joy. [L.,—Gr. klēmatis—klēma, a twig.]

Clement, klem′ent, adj. mild: gentle: kind: merciful.—ns. Clem′ence (Spens.), Clem′ency, the quality of being clement: mildness: readiness to forgive.—adv. Clem′ently. [Fr.,—L. clemens.]

Clench, klensh. Same as Clinch.

Clepe, klēp, v.t. (arch.) to call: to name.—pa.p. Yclept. [A.S. clipian, to call.]

Clepsydra, klep′si-dra, n. an instrument used by the Greeks and Romans for measuring time by the trickling of water. [L.,—Gr. klepsydra—kleptein, klepsein, to steal, hydōr, water.]

Clerestory, Clear-story, clēr-stō′ri, n. an upper row of windows rising above the adjoining parts of the building, probably so named as admitting clearness or light—esp. applied to the windows in the upper part of the central nave of churches.

Clergy, klėr′ji, n. the ministers of the Christian religion, as holders of an allotted office, in contradistinction to the laity.—adjs. Cler′gyable, Cler′giable, entitled to or admitting of the benefit of clergy.—ns. Cler′gyman, one of the clergy, a regularly ordained minister; Cler′gy-wom′an, a woman belonging to a clergyman's family.—adjs. Cler′ic, -al, belonging to the clergy: pertaining to a clerk.—ns. Cler′ic, a clergyman; Cler′icalism, undue influence of the clergy, sacerdotalism; Cler′icate, clerical position; Cleric′ity, state of being a clergyman; Cler′isy, the class of learned men, scholars.—Clergyman's sore throat, chronic pharyngitis.—Benefit of clergy, originally an exemption of clergymen, in certain cases, from criminal process before a secular judge, but later covering the first offence of all who could read.—Black clergy, in Russia, the regular or monastic, as distinct from the secular or parochial, clergy. [Fr. clergé—L.,—Gr. klērikos, from klēros, a lot, then the clergy.]

Clerk, klärk, or klerk, n. a clergyman or priest: a scholar: one who leads the responses in the English Church service: in common use, one employed as a writer, assistant, copyist, account-keeper, or correspondent in an office.—v.i. to act as clerk.—adj. Cler′ical, pertaining to a clerk or copyist, as in 'clerical error.'—ns. Clerk′dom, Clerk′ship; Clerk′ery, Clerk′age, the work of a clerk.—adjs. Clerk′ish, like a clerk; Clerk′less, ignorant; Clerk′-like, scholarly.—n. Clerk′ling, a young clerk.—adj. Clerk′ly, scholarly.—adv. in a scholar-like or learned manner.—Clerk of the weather, an imaginary functionary facetiously supposed to direct the weather.—Bible clerk, a scholar who reads the lessons in some college chapels. [A.S. clerc, a priest—Late L. clericus. See Clergy.]

Cleromancy, kler′o-man-si, n. divination by lots. [Gr. klēros, lot, manteia, divination.]

Cler-story, an obsolete form of Clerestory.

Cleuch, Cleugh, klūh, n. a ravine with steep and precipitous sides. [Scotch form of Clough.]

Cleve, klēv, n. cliff: hillside. [Now rare. M. E. cleof, a variant of Cliff.]

Clever, klev′ėr, adj. able or dexterous: ingenious: skilful: (U.S.) good-natured.—ns. Cleveral′ity, Clev′erness.—adj. Clev′erish, somewhat clever.—adv. Clev′erly. [Ety. dub.]

Clew, Clue, klōō, n. a ball of thread, or the thread in it: a thread that guides through a labyrinth: anything that solves a mystery: the corner of a sail.—v.t. to coil up into a clew or ball: to truss or tie up sails to the yards.—n. Clew′-gar′net (naut.), a tackle for clewing up the smaller square sails for furling.—n.pl. Clew′-lines, ropes on the smaller square sails by which they are clewed up for furling. [A.S. cliwen; cf. Dut. kluwen; Ger. knäuel.]

Cliché, klē-shā′, n. the impression made by a die in any soft metal: an electrotype or stereotype plate. [Fr.,—clicher, to stereotype.]

Click, klik, n. a short, sharp clack or sound: anything that makes such a sound, as a small piece of iron falling into a notched wheel: a latch for a gate.—v.i. to make a light, sharp sound.—ns. Click′-clack, a continuous clicking noise; Click′er, the compositor who distributes the copy among a companionship of printers, makes up pages, &c.: one who cuts up leather for the uppers and soles of boots and shoes; Click′ing, the action of the verb. [Dim. of Clack.]

Client, klī′ent, n. one who employs a lawyer: a dependent.—n. Clī′entage, the whole number of one's clients: the client's relation to the patron.—adj. Clīent′al.—ns. Clī′entele, a following: the whole connection of a lawyer, shopkeeper, &c.; Clī′entship. [L. cliens, for cluens, one who hears or listens (to advice), from cluēre, to hear.]

Cliff, klif, n. (mus.). Same as Clef.

Cliff, klif, n. a high steep rock: the steep side of a mountain.—adjs. Cliffed, Cliff′y, having cliffs: craggy. [A.S. clif; Dut. clif; Ice. klif.]

Clift. See Cleft (2).

Clift, klift, n. same as Cliff, the form arising under the influence of Cleft.—adjs. Clift′ed, Clift′y, broken into cliffs.

Climacteric, klim-ak-tėr′ik, or klim-ak′tėr-ik, n. a critical period in human life, in which some great bodily change is supposed to take place: a critical time.—adj. pertaining to such a period: critical.—adj. Climacter′ical.—The grand climacteric, the sixty-third year, supposed to be a critical period for men. [Gr. klimaktēr—klimax, a ladder.]

Climate, klī′māt, n. the condition of a country or place with regard to temperature, moisture, &c.: (fig.) character of something.—v.i. (Shak.) to remain in a certain place.—adjs. Clī′matal, Climat′ic, -al, relating to climate.—v.t. Clī′matise (see Acclimatise).—adj. Climatograph′ical.—n. Climatog′raphy, a description of climates.—adj. Climatolog′ical, relating to climatology.—ns. Climatol′ogist, one skilled in the science of climatology; Climatol′ogy, the science of climates, or an investigation of the causes on which the climate of a place depends; Clī′mature (Shak.), climate. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. klima, klimatos, slope—klinein, to slope.]

Climax, klī′maks, n. (rhet.) the arranging of the particulars of a portion of a discourse so as to rise in strength to the last: the last term of the rhetorical arrangement: a culmination.—v.i. to ascend in a climax: to culminate.—adjs. Climact′ic, -al, pertaining to a climax.—adv. Climact′ically. [Gr. klimax, a ladder—from klinein, to slope.]

Climb, klīm, v.i. or v.t. to ascend or mount by clutching with the hands and feet: to ascend with difficulty: to mount.—adj. Climb′able, capable of being climbed.—ns. Climb′er, one who or that which climbs: (pl.) an old-fashioned popular title for several orders of birds whose feet are mainly adapted for climbing: (bot.) those plants which, having weak stems, seek support from other objects, chiefly from other plants, in order to ascend from the ground; Climb′ing. [A.S. climban; cf. Ger. klimmen; conn. with Clamber and Cleave, to stick.]

Clime, klīm, n. a country, region, tract. [A variety of Climate.]

Clinamen, klin-ā′men, n. inclination. [L. clināre, to incline.]

Clinanthium, klin-an′thi-um, n. the receptacle in a composite plant. [Gr. klinē, a bed, anthos, a flower.]

Clinch, klinsh, Clench, klensh, v.t. to fasten or rivet a nail by bending the point and beating the bent part flat against the object through which the nail was driven: to grasp tightly: to set firmly, as the teeth: to fasten on: (fig.) to drive home an argument: to settle or confirm.—n. something set firmly: the fastening of a nail by beating it back, as in the verb: a pun.—n. Clinch′er, one that clinches: a decisive argument.—adj. Clinch′er-built (same as Clinker-built).—n. Clinch′er-work, the disposition of the side planks of a vessel, when the lower edge of one row overlaps the row next under it. [Causal form of klink, to strike smartly; Dut. and Ger. klinken, to rivet a bolt.]

Cling, kling, v.i. to adhere or stick close by winding round: to adhere in interest or affection: to remain by an opinion: of wood, to shrink.—v.t. to attach: to shrivel:—pa.t. and pa.p. clung.—n. adherence.—adjs. Cling′stone, having the pulp adhering firmly to the stone (of peaches)—opp. to Freestone; Cling′y, sticky. [A.S. clingan, to shrivel up, to draw together.]

Clinic, -al, klin′ik, -al, adj. pertaining to a bed: (med.) applied to instruction given in hospitals at the bedside of the patient.—n. Clin′ic, one confined to bed by sickness: the teaching of medicine or surgery practically at the bedside of the patient—also Clin′ique.—adv. Clin′ically.—Clinical baptism, baptism administered to persons on their sick-bed; Clinical convert, one converted on his death-bed; Clinical medicine, or surgery, medicine or surgery as taught by clinics, a Clinical lecture being one delivered to students at the bedside of the sick. [Gr. klinikos—klinē, a bed, from klinein, to recline.]

Clink, klingk, n. a ringing sound made by the striking together of sounding bodies: jingle.—v.t. to cause to make a ringing sound.—v.i. to ring or jingle: to go with a clinking sound.—n. Clink′er, the name given to the scales or globules of black oxide of iron, obtained from red-hot iron under the blows of a hammer: the slags of iron furnaces: the cindery-like masses which form the crust of some lava-flows.—adj. Clink′er-built, made of planks which overlap each other below (as distinguished from carvel-built) and are fastened together with clinched nails.—n. Clink′stone, a greenish-gray or brownish compact, or very finely crystalline igneous rock, splitting into slabs, which give a metallic clink when struck by a hammer. [A form of Click and Clank.]

Clink, klingk, v.t. to clinch: to rivet. [Scot. for Clinch.]

Clinometer, klī-nom′e-tėr, n. an instrument for measuring the angle of inclination or dip of a stratum.—adj. Clinomet′ric.—n. Clinom′etry. [Gr. klinein, to incline, metron, a measure.]

Clinquant, klingk′ant, adj. shining like tinsel: glittering.—n. tinsel: glitter. [Fr.,—Dut. klinken, to clink.]

Clio, klī′o, n. the muse of history and epic poetry: (zool.) a genus of shell-less molluscs in the class of Pteropods, swarming in northern and southern seas, and named by the whalers 'whales' food,' one species of which constitutes a principal part of the food of whales. [Gr. kleein, to call.]

Clip, klip, v.t. to cut by making the blades of shears meet: to cut off: to debase the coin by cutting off the edges: to diminish.—v.i. to go quickly:—pr.p. clip′ping; pa.p. clipped.—n. the thing clipped off, as the wool that has been shorn off sheep: a smart blow.—adj. Clipped, cut short.—ns. Clip′per, one that clips: a sharp-built, fast-sailing vessel: (slang) a dashing person; Clip′ping, the act of cutting, esp. debasing coin by cutting off the edges: the thing clipped off.—adj. superb: fast-going.—Clip the wings, to cut a bird's wings to prevent it from flying: (fig.) to restrain ambition: to deprive of the means of rising. [Prob. from Ice. klippa, to cut; Dan. klippe.]

Clip, klip, v.t. (Shak.) to embrace: to encircle: to hold firmly.—n. an instrument for holding things firm. [A.S. clyppan, to embrace; Ice. klýpa, to pinch; Ger. kluppe, pincers.]

Clique, klēk, n. a group of persons in union for a purpose: a party or faction: a gang—used generally in a bad sense.—adj. Cliqu′ish, relating to a clique.—ns. Cliqu′ishness; Cliqu′ism, tendency to form cliques. [Fr.; prob. from root of click, and so = a noisy conclave. Acc. to Littré, orig. in sense of Claque.]

Clish-clash, klish′-klash, Clishmaclaver, klish′maklāv′ėr, n. gossip. [Scot.]

Clistogamy, klis-tog′a-mi, n. a peculiar dimorphism in the flowers of a plant when these do not expand and are systematically close or self-fertilised.—adjs. Clistog′amous, Clistogam′ic. [Gr. kleistos, closed, gamos, marriage.]

Clitellum, kli-tel′um, n. the saddle of an annelid, as the earthworm:—pl. Clitell′a. [L.]

Clithral, klith′ral, adj. with a roof that forms a complete covering. [Gr.]

Clitoris, klī′tō-ris, n. a homologue of the penis present, as a rudimentary organ, in the female of many higher vertebrates.—ns. Clī′torism; Clitorī′tis. [Gr.]

Clitter, klit′ėr, v.t. and v.i. to make, or cause to make, a shrill rattling noise.—n. Clitt′er-clatt′er, idle talk, chatter. [Related to Clatter.]

Clivers. Same as Cleavers (q.v. under Cleave).

Cloaca, klō-ā′ka, n. a sewer: a privy: a cavity in birds and reptiles, in which the intestinal and urinary ducts terminate: a sink of moral filth:—pl. Cloacæ (klō-ā′sē).—adjs. Cloā′cal, Cloā′cinal. [L. cloāca—cluĕre, to purge.]

Cloak, Cloke, klōk, n. a loose outer garment: a covering: that which conceals: a disguise, pretext.—v.t. to clothe with a cloak: to cover: to conceal.—ns. Cloak′-bag (obs.), a portmanteau; Cloak′-room, a room set apart for keeping cloaks, coats, hats, &c., at a theatre, railway station, &c. [O. Fr. cloke, cloque—Low L. cloca, a bell, also a horseman's cape, because bell-shaped, from root of Clock.]

Cloam, klōm, n. and adj. earthenware, clay, or made of such. [A.S. clám, mud. See Clay.]

Clobber, klob′ėr, n. a paste used by shoemakers to hide the cracks in leather. [Ety. dub.]

Clock, klok, n. a machine for measuring time, marking the time by the position of its 'hands' upon the dial-plate, or by the striking of a hammer on a bell: (Shak.) the striking of the hour.—n. Clock′work, the works or machinery of a clock: machinery steady and regular like that of a clock.—adj. automatic.—Go like clockwork, to go along smoothly and without a hitch.—Know what o'clock it is, to be wide awake, to know how things are. [M. E. clokke, prob. through O. Fr. from Low L. cloca, clocca, a bell; mod. Fr. cloche, Dut. klok; Ger. glocke, a bell.]

Clock, klok, n. an ornament worked on the side of a stocking.—adj. Clocked, ornamented with clocks.

Clock, klok, n. a beetle—common name in Scotland.

Clock, klok, v.i. (Scot.) to cluck: to hatch.—n. Clock′er, a clocking hen. [A.S. cloccian; Dut. klokken.]

Clod, klod, n. a thick round mass or lump, that sticks together, esp. of earth or turf: a concreted mass: the ground: the body of man, as formed of clay: a stupid fellow.—v.t. to pelt.—v.i. to throw clods: (Scot.) to throw:—pr.p. clod′ding; pa.p. clod′ded.—adjs. Clod′dish; Clod′dy, abounding in clods: earthy.—n. Clod′hopper, a countryman: a peasant: a dolt.—adj. Clodhop′ping, boorish.—adv. Clod′ly.—ns. Clod′pate, Clod′poll, a stupid fellow.—adj. Clodpat′ed, stupid. [A later form of Clot.]

Cloff, klof, n. a cleft. [Cf. Ice. klof.]

Cloff, klof, n. an allowance, on buying goods wholesale, of 2 lb. in every 3 cwt., after tare and tret have been deducted. [Der. unknown.]

Clog, klog, n. a piece of wood: anything hindering motion: an obstruction: an impediment: a shoe with a wooden sole.—v.t. to fasten a piece of wood to: to accumulate in a mass and cause a stoppage: to obstruct: to encumber: to put clogs on.—ns. Clog′-al′manac, an early form of almanac having the indicating characters notched on wood, horn, &c.; Clog′-dance, a dance performed with clogs, the clatter keeping time to the music.—adj. Clogged, encumbered.—ns. Clog′ger, one who makes clogs; Clog′giness.—adj. Clog′gy, lumpy, sticky. [Ety. dub.; prob. related to Clay; cf. Scot. clag, to cover with mud; claggy, muddy, sticky.]

Cloison, kloi′son, n. a partition, dividing fillet or band.—n. Cloi′sonnage, the process of executing cloisonné work.—adj. Cloisonné, partitioned—of a surface decoration in enamel, the outlines of the design formed by small fillets of metal, the interstices filled with coloured enamel paste, vitrified.—n. work of this kind. [Fr.]

Cloister, klois′tėr, n. a covered arcade forming part of a monastic or collegiate establishment: a place of religious retirement, a monastery or nunnery: an enclosed place.—v.t. to confine in a cloister: to confine within walls.—adjs. Clois′teral, Clois′tral, Claus′tral, pertaining or confined to a cloister: secluded; Clois′tered, dwelling in cloisters.—ns. Clois′terer, one belonging to a cloister; Clois′ter-garth, the court or yard enclosed by a cloister; Clois′tress (Shak.), a nun.—The cloister, the monastic life. [O. Fr. cloistre (A.S. clauster)—L. claustrum—claudĕre, clausum, to shut.]

Cloke, klōk, n. Same as Cloak.

Clomb, klōm, old pa.t. of Climb.

Clonic, klon′ik, adj. pertaining to clonus, with alternate convulsive contractions and relaxations of the muscles (of spasms)—opp. to Tonic.—n. Clō′nus, a clonic spasm. [Gr.]

Cloop, kloop, n. the sound made when the cork is drawn from a bottle. [From the sound.]

Cloot, kloot, n. a cloven hoof: (pl.) the devil.—n. Cloot′ie, the devil, because of his cloven hoof. [Scot.; ety. dub.]

Close, klōs, adj. shut up: with no opening: confined, unventilated: stifling: narrow: stingy: near, in time or place: intimate: compact, as opposed to discursive: crowded: hidden: reserved: private: secret.—adv. in a close manner: tightly; nearly: densely.—n. an enclosed place: a small enclosed field: a narrow passage of a street: the precinct of a cathedral.—adjs. Close′-band′ed, closely united; Close′-barred, firmly closed; Close′-bod′ied, fitting close to the body.—n. Close′-corporā′tion, a corporation which fills up its own vacancies, without outside interference.—adjs. Close′-fist′ed, Close′-hand′ed, penurious, covetous; Close′-grained, with the fibres, &c., close together, compact; Close′-hauled, noting the trim of a ship when sailing as near as possible to the wind.—adv. Close′ly.—ns. Close′ness; Close′-stool, a chamber utensil enclosed in a box or stool; Close′-sea′son, Close′-time, a time of the year when it is against the law to kill certain animals, esp. game.—adj. Close′-tongued (Shak.), cautious in speaking. [Fr. clos, shut—L. claudĕre, clausum, to shut.]

Close, klōz, v.t. to make close: to draw together and unite: to finish.—v.i. to come together: to grapple: to come to an end (with).—n. the manner or time of closing: a pause or stop: the end: junction: (Shak.) encounter.—ns. Clos′er, one who concludes; Clos′ing, enclosing: ending: agreement; Clos′ure, the act of closing: the end: the stopping of a debate in the House of Commons by the vote of the House.—Close a bargain, to make an agreement; Close with, to accede to: to grapple with.—With closed doors, in private, the public being excluded, as in special cases in court, &c.

Closet, kloz′et, n. a small private room: a recess off a room: a privy: the private chamber of a sovereign, an apartment for private audience or council, or for private or domestic devotions.—v.t. to shut up in or take into a closet: to conceal:—pr.p. clos′eting; pa.p. clos′eted.—n. Bed′-clos′et, a small recess for a bed. [O. Fr. closet, dim. of clos. See Close.]

Clot, klot, n. a mass of soft or fluid matter concreted, as blood.—v.i. to form into clots: to coagulate:—pr.p. clot′ting; pa.p. clot′ted.—n. Clot′poll (Shak.), a clodpoll, a blockhead.—v.t. Clot′ter, to coagulate.—ns. Clot′tiness; Clot′ting, coagulation.—adj. Clot′ty.—Clotted (also Clouted) cream, a famous Devonshire dainty, skimmed off milk that has been 'scalded' or heated after standing 24 hours, with a little sugar thrown on the top. [A.S. clott, a clod of earth; cf. Dut. klos, block; Dan. klods; Ger. klotz.]

Cloth, kloth, n. woven material from which garments or coverings are made: clothing: the usual dress of a trade or profession, esp. the clerical:—pl. Cloths.—v.t. Clothe (klōth), to cover with a garment: to provide with clothes: (fig.) to invest as with a garment: to cover:—pr.p. clōth′ing; pa.t. and pa.p. clōthed or clad.—n.pl. Clothes (klōthz, coll. klōz), garments or articles of dress: blankets for a bed.—ns. Clothes′-bas′ket, a large basket for holding and carrying clothes; Clothes′-brush, a brush for clothes; Clothes′-horse, Clothes′-screen, a frame for hanging clothes on to dry; Clothes′-line, a rope or wire for hanging clothes on to dry; Clothes′-moth, one of various tineas whose larvæ feed on furs, woollens, &c., spinning cases out of these; Clothes′-pin, a forked piece of wood to secure clothes on a line; Clothes′-press, a place for holding clothes; Cloth′-hall, a cloth-exchange building or market; Cloth′ier, one who makes or sells cloth; Cloth′ing, clothes, garments: covering; Cloth′-yard, formerly the yard by which cloth was measured.—Cloth of gold, a tissue consisting of threads of gold and silk or wool; Cloth of state, a canopy; Cloth-yard shaft, an arrow a cloth-yard long.—Clothe in words, to express ideas in words; Clothe on, or upon, to invest: to cover.—American cloth, a kind of enamelled cloth, used for covering chairs, &c.—The cloth, the clerical profession: the clergy. [A.S. cláth, cloth; Ger. kleid, a garment.]

Cloture, klot′ūr, n. Same as Closure. [Fr. clôture—L. claudĕre, clausum, to shut.]

Cloud, klowd, n. a mass of fog, consisting of minute particles of water, often in a frozen state, floating in the atmosphere: (fig.) anything unsubstantial: a great number or multitude of anything, as the New Test. 'cloud of witnesses:' anything that obscures, as a cloud: a dark spot on a lighter material: a great volume of dust or smoke: anything gloomy, overhanging, or bodeful.—v.t. to overspread with clouds: to darken: to defame: to stain with dark spots or streaks.—v.i. to become clouded or darkened.—ns. Cloud′age; Cloud′-berr′y, a low plant related to the bramble, found on elevated moors in Britain, with an orange-red berry of delightful flavour.—adj. Cloud′-built, made of clouds, unsubstantial.—n. Cloud′-burst, a sudden flood of rain over a small area.—adjs. Cloud′-capt (Shak.), capped with or touching the clouds; Cloud′-compel′ling, driving or collecting the clouds, an epithet of Jupiter; Cloud′ed, hidden by clouds: (fig.) darkened: indistinct: variegated with spots, as a 'clouded cane,' &c.—n. Cloud′ery.—adv. Cloud′ily.—ns. Cloud′iness; Cloud′ing, a cloudy appearance.—adj. growing dim.—adjs. Cloud′-kiss′ing (Shak.), touching the clouds; Cloud′less, unclouded, clear.—adv. Cloud′lessly.—n. Cloud′let, a little cloud.—adjs. Cloud′-topped, covered with or touching the clouds; Cloud′y, darkened with, or consisting of, clouds: obscure: gloomy: stained with dark spots: (coll.) 'shady.'—Wait till the clouds roll by, to wait for more favourable circumstances.—Under a cloud, in trouble or disfavour. [A.S. clúd, a hill, then a cloud, the root idea being a mass or ball. Clod and Clot are from the same root.]

Clough, kluf, or klow, n. a ravine: a valley. [Scot. cleuch; ety. dub.]

Clour, klōōr, n. a knock: a swelling caused by a knock.—v.t. to knock: to raise a bump. [Scot.; cf. Ice. klór.]

Clout, klowt, n. a piece of cloth used for mending: a rag: a piece of cloth used by archers to shoot at, then the shot itself: a blow: a cuff.—v.t. to mend with a patch: to cover with a cloth: to cuff.—p.adj. Clout′ed (Shak.), heavy and patched, as shoes having nails in the soles: covered with a clout.—adj. Clout′erly, clownish.—ns. Clout′-nail, a large-headed nail used for the soles of boots; Clout′-shoe, a shoe having the sole protected by clout-nails. [A.S. clút; cf. Ice. klútr, a kerchief; Dan. klud, rag.]

Clouted, klowt′ed, p.adj. clotted, as cream. [See Clot.]

Clove, klōv, pa.t. of Cleave.—n. Clove′-hitch (see Hitch.)

Clove, klōv, n. the unexpanded flower-bud of the clove-tree, a native of the Moluccas, used as a spice.—ns. Clove′-gill′yflower, a clove-scented species of pink; Clove′-pink, a variety of pink which has an odour like that of cloves. [Fr. clou, in full clou de girofle, nail of the girofle, so called from the shape of the bud and its stalk—L. clavus, a nail.]

Cloven, clōv′n, p.adj. split: divided.—adjs. Clov′en-foot′ed, Clov′en-hoofed, having the hoof divided, as the ox or sheep.—The cloven hoof, applied to any indication of devilish agency or temptation, from the early representation of the devil with cloven hoofs—prob. from Pan, some of whose characteristics he shares. [Pa.p. of Cleave, to divide.]

Clover, klōv′ėr, n. a genus of plants containing a great number of species, natives chiefly of temperate climates, affording rich pasturage.—adj. Clov′ered, covered with clover.—n. Clov′er-grass, clover.—adj. Clov′ery, abounding in clover.—Live in clover, to live luxuriously or in abundance. [A.S. cláfre; Dut. klaver; Dan. klöver; Ger. klee.]

Clown, klown, n. a rustic or country-fellow: one with the rough manners of a countryman: an ill-bred fellow: a fool or buffoon.—ns. Clown′ery, a clown's performance; Clown′ing, acting the clown.—adj. Clown′ish, of or like a clown: coarse and awkward: rustic.—adv. Clown′ishly.—ns. Clown′ishness; Clown′ship. [Prob. conn. with Clod, and Clot.]

Cloy, kloi, v.t. to fill to loathing: to satiate: (Spens.) to gore:—pr.p. cloy′ing; pa.p. cloyed.—adjs. Cloyed, clagged: cumbered; Cloy′ing, satiating; Cloy′less (Shak.) that cannot cloy.—n. Cloy′ment (Shak.), satiety, surfeit.—adj. Cloy′some, satiating. [Fr. clouer, to drive a nail into, to spike or stop, as a gun, from L. clavus, a nail.]

Cloy, kloi, v.t. (Shak.) to stroke with a claw. [Perh. a corr. of Claw.]

Club, klub, n. a heavy tapering stick, knobby or massy at one end, used to strike with: a cudgel: a bat used in certain games: an instrument for playing golf, variously with wooden heads, iron heads, and wooden heads with brass soles: a bunch; one of the four suits of cards: a combination: a clique, set: an association of persons for the joint study of literature, politics, &c., or for social ends: an association of persons who possess a building as a common resort for the members: a club-house, or the house occupied by a club.—v.t. to beat with a club: to gather into a bunch: to combine: to throw soldiers into confusion.—v.i. to join together for some common end: to combine together: to share in a common expense.—adjs. Club′bable, sociable; Clubbed, like a club.—n. Club′bing, beating: combination: a disease in some plants.—adj. Club′bish, given to clubs.—ns. Club′bism, the club system; Club′bist, Club′-foot, a deformed foot.—adj. Club′-foot′ed.—n. Club′-grass, a species of grass having a club-shaped articulation.—v.t. Club′-haul, (naut.), to tack by dropping the lee anchor and slipping the cable.—adj. Club′head′ed, having a thick head.—ns. Club′-house, a house for the accommodation of a club; Club′-law, government by violence; Club′-man, one who carries a club: a member of a club; Club′-mas′ter, the manager of, or purveyor for, a club; Club′-moss, one of the four genera of Lycopodiaceæ; Club′-room, the room in which a club meets; Club′-rush, a plant of many varieties of the genus Scripus or rush.—n.pl. Clubs (see Clumps). [Ice. and Sw. klubba; same root as Clump.]