CLARY, kl[=a]r'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. _cal[=a]re_, Gr.
_kalein_.]
CLASSIFY, klas'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make or form into classes: to
arrange:--_pr.p._ class'ifying; _pa.p._ class'ified.--_adjs._
CLASSIF[=I]'ABLE, capable of being classified; CLASSIF'IC, denoting
classes.--_n._ CLASSIFIC[=A]'TION, act of forming into classes:
distribution into classes.--_adj._ CLASS'IFIC[=A]TORY.--_n._
CLASS'IF[=I]ER. [L. _classis_, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]