CLINOMETER, kl[=i]-nom'e-t[.e]r, _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, kl[=i]'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, kl[=e]k, _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'makl[=a]v'[.e]r, _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, kl[=i]'t[=o]-ris, _n._ a homologue of the penis present, as a
rudimentary organ, in the female of many higher vertebrates.--_ns._
CL[=I]'TORISM; CLITOR[=I]'TIS. [Gr.]
CLITTER, klit'[.e]r, _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, kl[=o]-[=a]'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 (kl[=o]-[=a]'s[=e]).--_adjs._ CLO[=A]'CAL,
CLO[=A]'CINAL. [L. _clo[=a]ca_--_clu[)e]re_, to purge.]
CLOAK, CLOKE, kl[=o]k, _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, kl[=o]m, _n._ and _adj._ earthenware, clay, or made of such. [A.S.
_clám_, mud. See CLAY.]
CLOBBER, klob'[.e]r, _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.]