CLATTER, klat'[.e]r, _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-k[=a]'shun, _n._ a halting, a limp. [L.,--_claudus_, lame.]
CLAUGHT, klaht, _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_--_claud[)e]re_, to shut.]
CLAUSTRAL, klaws'tral, _adj._ cloistral, secluded, pertaining to a claustrum.--_ns._ CLAUSTR[=A]'TION, the act of shutting in a cloister; CLAUSTROPH[=O]'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, kl[=a]'v[=a]t, -ed, _adj._ (_bot._) club-shaped: gradually thickening to the top.--_n._ CLAV[=A]'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, kl[=a]v, _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, kl[=a]'v[.e]r, _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 antennae.--_n._ a member of the _Clavicornia_, a group of _Coleoptera_ or beetles. [L. _clava_, a club, _cornu_, a horn.]
CLAVIER, kla-v[=e]r', _n._ the keyboard of a musical instrument: a stringed instrument, esp. the pianoforte. [Fr.,--L. _clavis_, a key.]
CLAVIS, kl[)a]'vis, _n._ a key, hence a clue or aid for solving problems, interpreting a cipher, &c.:--_pl._ CL[=A]'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, kl[=a], _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. _claeg_; cf. Dan. _klaeg_, Ger. _klei_.]
CLAYMORE, kl[=a]'m[=o]r, _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, kl[=e]'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. _cl['ae]ne_; 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, kl[=e]r, _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.]
[Illustration]
CLEAT, kl[=e]t, _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. _cleat_; cf. Dut. _kloot_; Dan. _klode_; Ger. _kloss_.]
CLEAVE, kl[=e]v, _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._ cl[=o]ve 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. _cleofan_; cog. with Ger. _klieben_.]
CLEAVE, kl[=e]v, _v.i._ to stick or adhere: to unite:--_pr.p._ cleav'ing; _pa.t._ cleaved or cl[=a]ve; _pa.p._ cleaved.--_n._ CLEAV'ING, the act of adhering. [A.S. _clifian_; cog. with Ger. _kleben_, Dut. _kleven_.]
CLECHe, klesh'[=a], _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. _klaekke_, to hatch.]
CLEDDYO, kled'y[=o], _n._ an antique leaf-shaped bronze Celtic sword. [W.
_cleddeu_, _cleddyf_; L. _gladius_.]
CLEEK, kl[=e]k, _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. _kl[=e]matis_--_kl[=e]ma_, 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, kl[=e]p, _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, _hyd[=o]r_, water.]
CLERESTORY, CLEAR-STORY, cl[=e]r-st[=o]'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, kl[.e]r'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.