CLACHAN, kla'han, _n._ (_Scot._) a small village. [Gael.
_clachan_--_clach_, stone.]
[Illustration]
CLACK, klak, _v.i._ to make a sudden sharp noise as by striking: to
chatter: to cackle.--_n._ a sharp, sudden sound; sound of voices: an
instrument making this kind of noise: (_coll._) the tongue.--_ns._
CLACK'-BOX, the box containing the clack-valve of an engine; CLACK'-DISH
(_Shak._), a wooden dish carried by beggars, having a movable cover which
they clacked to attract attention; CLACK'ER; CLACK'-VALVE, a valve used in
pumps, having a flap or a hinge which lifts up to let the fluid pass, but
prevents the fluid from returning by falling back over the aperture. [From
the sound.]
CLAD, klad, _pa.t_. and _pa.p._ of CLOTHE.
CLAES, kl[=a]z, _n.pl._ Scotch for CLOTHES.
CLAG, klag, _v.i._ (_prov._) to stick.--_adj._ CLAG'GY, sticky. [Prob.
Scand.; Dan. _klag_, mud.]
CLAIM, kl[=a]m, _v.t._ to call for: to demand as a right.--_n._ a demand
for something supposed due: right or ground for demanding: the thing
claimed.--_adj._ CLAIM'ABLE, that can be claimed.--_n._ CLAIM'ANT, one who
makes a claim.--LAY CLAIM TO, to assert a right. [O. Fr. _claimer_--L.
_clam[=a]re_, to call out.]
CLAIRAUDIENCE, kl[=a]r-awd'i-ens, _n._ the alleged power of hearing things
not present to the senses.--_n._ CLAIRAUD'IENT. [Fr. _clair_--L. _clarus_,
clear, and AUDIENCE.]
CLAIR-OBSCURE, CLARE-OBSCURE, kl[=a]r-ob-sk[=u]r'. Same as CHIAROSCURO
(q.v.). [Fr. _clair_--L. _clarus_, clear, and Fr. _obscur_--L. _obscurus_,
obscure.]
CLAIRSCHACH, kl[=a]r'shäh, _n._ the old Celtic harp strung with wire.
CLAIRVOYANCE, kl[=a]r-voi'ans, _n._ the alleged power of seeing things not
present to the senses.--_n._ CLAIRVOY'ANT, one who is said to have this
power. [Fr., _clair_--L. _clarus_, clear, and Fr. _voir_--L. _vid[=e]re_,
to see.]
CLAM, klam, _n._ a species of bivalve shellfish: an instrument for holding.
[A.S. _clam_, fetter; cf. Ger. _klamm_; Dan. _klamme_.]
CLAM, klam, _v.t._ to clog: to smear; _pr.p._ clam'ming; _pa.p._
clammed.--_n._ dampness.--_adv._ CLAM'MILY.--_n._ CLAM'MINESS.--_adj._
CLAM'MY, sticky: moist and adhesive. [A.S. _clæman_, to anoint; cf. Dut.,
Dan. _klam_, damp.]
CLAM, klam, _n._ noise produced in ringing a chime of bells at
once.--_v.t._ or _v.i._ to produce a clam. [Prob. onomatopoeic.]
CLAMANT, klam'ant, _adj._ calling aloud or earnestly.--_n._ CLAM'ANCY,
urgency. [L. _clam[=a]re_, to cry out.]
CLAMBER, klam'b[.e]r, _v.i._ to climb with difficulty, grasping with the
hands and feet.--_n._ the act of clambering. [From root of CLUMP; cf. Ger.
_klammern_--_klemmen_, to squeeze or hold tightly.]
CLAMJAMPHRIE, klam-jam'fri, _n._ (_Scot._) rubbish: nonsense: rabble. [Der.
uncertain.]
CLAMOUR, klam'or, _n._ a loud continuous outcry: uproar; any loud
noise.--_v.i._ to cry aloud in demand: to make a loud continuous
outcry.--_adj._ CLAM'OROUS, noisy, boisterous.--_adv._ CLAM'OROUSLY.--_ns._
CLAM'-OROUSNESS; CLAM'OURER. [L. _clamor_.]
CLAMP, klamp, _n._ a piece of timber, iron, &c., used to fasten things
together or to strengthen any framework: any instrument for
holding.--_v.t._ to bind with clamps. [From a root seen in A.S. _clam_,
fetter; Dut. _klamp_, a clamp, and akin to Eng. CLIP, CLIMB.]
CLAMP, klamp, _n._ a heavy tread.--_v.i._ to tread heavily. [Prob. from the
sound.]
CLAMPER, klam'p[.e]r, _v.t._ to botch up. [Der. unknown; prob. conn. with
CLAMP, a piece of timber, &c.]
CLAN, klan, _n._ a tribe or collection of families subject to a single
chieftain, bearing the same surname, and supposed to have a common
ancestor: a clique, sect: a collective name for a number of persons or
things.--_adj._ CLAN'NISH, closely united, like the members of a
clan.--_adv._ CLAN'NISHLY.--_ns._ CLAN'NISHNESS; CLAN'SHIP, association of
families under a chieftain: feeling of loyalty to a clan; CLANS'MAN, a
member of a clan. [Gael. _clann_, offspring, tribe--L. _planta_, a shoot.]
CLANDESTINE, klan-des'tin, _adj._ concealed or hidden: private:
sly.--_adv._ CLANDES'TINELY. [L. _clandestinus_--_clam_, secretly.]
CLANG, klang, _v.i._ to produce a sharp, ringing sound.--_v.t._ to cause to
clang.--_n._ a sharp, ringing sound, like that made by metallic substances
struck together: (_fig._) sound, the cry of some birds.--_n._ CLANG'ING,
the sound corresponding to the verb.--_adj._ CLANG'OROUS.--_adv._
CLANG'OROUSLY.--_n._ CLANG'OUR, a clang: a sharp, shrill, harsh
sound.--_v.i._ to make a clangour. [L. _clang[)e]re_; Ger. _klang_; formed
from the sound.]
CLANK, klangk, _n._ a sharp sound, less prolonged than a clang, such as is
made by a chain.--_v.t._ or _v.i._ to make or cause a clank.--_n._
CLANK'ING, the action of the verb _clank_.--_adj._ CLANK'LESS, without
clank. [Prob. formed under the influence of CLINK and CLANG.]
CLAP, klap, _n._ the noise made by the sudden striking together of two
things, as the hands: a burst of sound: a slap.--_v.t._ to strike together
so as to make a noise: to thrust or drive together suddenly: to fasten
promptly: to pat with the hand in a friendly manner: to applaud with the
hands: to bang: to imprison--e.g. 'to clap one in prison.'--_v.i._ to
strike the hands together: to strike together with noise: to
applaud:--_pr.p._ clap'ping; _pa.p._ clapped.--_ns._ CLAP'-BOARD, a thin
board used in covering wooden houses; CLAP'-BREAD, a kind of hard-baked
oatmeal cake; CLAP'-DISH (same as CLACK-DISH); CLAP'-NET, a kind of net
which is made to clap together suddenly by pulling a string; CLAP'PER, one
who claps: that which claps, as the tongue of a bell: a glib
tongue.--_v.t._ CLAP'PER-CLAW, to claw or scratch: (_Shak._) to
scold.--_ns._ CLAP'PING, noise of striking: applause; CLAP'-SILL, the
bottom part of the frame on which lock-gates shut--called also _Lock-sill_;
CLAP'TRAP (_Shak._), a trick to gain applause: flashy display: empty words;
CLAPTRAP'PERY.--_adj._ CLAPTRAP'PISH.--CLAP EYES ON, to see; CLAP HANDS
(_Shak._), to make an agreement; CLAP HOLD OF, to seize roughly; CLAP UP
(_Shak._), to conclude suddenly. [Ice. _klappa_, to pat; Dut. and Ger.
_klappen_.]