Bolton.
_Clem_ (Vol. vii., p. 615.).--MR. KEIGHTLEY considers this word to mean
_press_ or _restrain_, and quotes three passages from Massinger and Jonson
in support of his opinion; admitting, however, that it is usually rendered
_starve_. Now, whatever may have been the root of this word, or
whencesoever it may have been derived, I think it must be admitted that
_starve_ is the correct meaning of the word in these passages. Let the
reader test it by substituting _starve_ for _clem_ in each case. In
Cheshire and Lancashire the word is in common use to this day, and
invariably means _starved_ for want of food. Of a thin, emaciated child it
is said, "His mother _clems_ him." A person exceedingly hungry says, "I'm
welly _clem'd_; I'm almost or well-nigh _starved_." It is the ordinary
appeal of a beggar in the streets, when asking for food.