Part 56

CIRRHOPOD, CIRRHOPODA, older forms of CIRRIPED, CIRRIPEDA.

CIRRIPEDA, sir-rip'e-da, CIRRIPEDIA, sir-rip-[=e]'di-a, _n._ a degenerate sub-class of Crustacea, including the numerous forms of _Barnacles_ and _Acorn-shells_.--_n._ CIR'RIPED, one of the Cirripeda. [L. _cirrus_, a tuft of hair, and _pes_, a foot.]

CIRRUS, sir'us, _n._ the highest form of clouds consisting of curling fibres: (_bot._) a tendril: (_zool._) any curled filament:--_pl._ CIRRI (sir'[=i]).--_adjs._ CIRR'ATE, CIRR'IFORM, like a cirrus; CIRR'IGRADE, moving by cirri.--_n._ CIRR'O-C[=U]'MULUS, a fleecy cloud intermediate between the cirrus and cumulus.--_adj._ CIRR'OSE, with tendrils.--_n._ CIRR'O-STR[=A]'TUS, a mottled-looking cloud intermediate between the cirrus and stratus.--_adj._ CIRR'OUS, having a cirrus. [L.]

CISALPINE, sis-alp'in, _adj._ on this side--i.e. on the Roman side--of the Alps.--So CISATLAN'TIC; CISLEITH'AN, on this side the Leitha, which separates the archduchy of Austria and Hungary; CISMON'TANE, on this side the mountains--opp. to _Ultramontane_; CIS'PADANE, on this side the Po; CISPON'TINE, on this side of the bridges, viz. in London, north of the Thames. [L. _cis_, on this side.]

CISELURE, s[=e]z'l[=u]r, _n._ the art or operation of chasing, the chasing upon a piece of metal-work.--_n._ CIS'ELEUR, a chaser. [Fr.]

CISSOID, sis'soid, _n._ a plane curve consisting of two infinite branches symmetrically placed with reference to the diameter of a circle, so that at one of its extremities they form a Cusp (q.v.), while the tangent to the circle at the other extremity is their common asymptote. [Gr. _kissoeid[=e]s_.]

CIST, sist, _n._ a tomb consisting of a stone chest covered with stone slabs.--_adjs._ CIST'ED, containing cists; CIST'IC, like a cist. [See CHEST.]

CISTELLA, sis-tel'a, _n._ the capsular shield of some lichens. [L., dim. of _cista_, a box.]

CISTERCIAN, sis-ter'shan, _n._ one of the order of monks established in 1098 in the forest of Citeaux (_Cistercium_), in France--an offshoot of the Benedictines.

CISTERN, sis't[.e]rn, _n._ any receptacle for holding water or other liquid: a reservoir: in a steam-engine, the vessel surrounding the condenser. [L. _cisterna_, from _cista_, a chest.]

CISTUS, sis'tus, _n._ Rock-rose, a genus of exogenous shrubby plants, cultivated for the beauty of their flowers:--_pl._ CIS'TUSES (-[=e]z) and CIS'TI ('t[=i]). [Low L., from Gr. _kistos_, the rock-rose.]

CISTVAEN. See KISTVAEN.

CIT, sit, _n._ shortened from citizen, and used as a term of contempt:--_fem._ CIT'ESS (_Dryden_). [See CITIZEN.]

CITADEL, sit'a-del, _n._ a fortress in or near a city: the place where the guns are kept in an ironclad man-of-war. [It. _cittadella_, dim. of _città_, a city. See CITY.]

CITE, s[=i]t, _v.t._ to call or summon: to summon to answer in court: to quote: to name: to adduce as proof.--_adj._ CIT'ABLE, that can be cited.--_ns._ CIT'AL, summons to appear: (_Shak._) accusation, reproof; CIT[=A]'TION, an official summons to appear: the document containing the summons: the act of quoting: the passage or name quoted; CIT[=A]'TOR, one who cites.--_adj._ CIT'[=A]TORY, having to do with citation, addicted to citation. [L. _cit[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to call, inten. of _ci[=e]re_, _c[=i]re_, to make to go.]

CITHARA, sith'a-ra, _n._ an ancient musical instrument closely resembling the guitar.--_n._ CITH'ARIST, a player on it.--_adj._ CITHARIST'IC.--_ns._ CITH'ER, CITH'ERN, CIT'TERN, a metal-stringed musical instrument, played with a plectrum. [L.,--Gr. _kithara_. A doublet of GUITAR.]

CITIGRADE, sit'i-gr[=a]d, _adj._ moving quickly: applied to a tribe of spiders of remarkably quick motions. [L. _citus_, quick, _gradus_, a step.]

CITIZEN, sit'i-zen, _n._ an inhabitant of a city: a member of a state: a townsman: a freeman:--_fem._ CIT'IZENESS.--_adj._ (_Shak._) like a citizen.--_v.t._ CIT'IZENISE, to make a citizen of.--_ns._ CIT'IZENRY, the general body of citizens; CIT'IZENSHIP, the rights of a citizen. [M. E. _citesein_--O. Fr. _citeain_. See CITY.]

CITOLE, sit'[=o]l, _n._ a small dulcimer used in medieval times. [O. Fr.,--L. _cithara_.]

CITRON, sit'run, _n._ the fruit of the citron-tree, resembling a lemon.--_n._ CIT'RATE, a salt of citric acid.--_adjs._ CIT'REOUS, citrine; CIT'RIC, derived from the citron; CIT'RINE, dark and greenish yellow, like a citron or lemon.--_n._ citrine colour: a rock crystal of this colour.--_ns._ CIT'RON-WOOD, CIT'RUS-WOOD, the most costly furniture-wood of the ancient Romans.--CITRIC ACID, the acid to which lemon and lime juice owe their sourness. [Fr.,--L. _citrus_--Gr. _kitron_, a citron.]

CITTERN. Same as CITHER (q.v. under CITHARA).

CITY, sit'i, _n._ a large town: a town with a corporation.--_n.pl._ CIT'Y-COMMIS'SIONERS, officials who attend to the drainage, &c.--_n._ CIT'Y-MIS'SION, a mission for evangelising the poor classes in the large cities.--_adj._ CIV'IC, pertaining to a city or citizen.--CITY OF GOD, HEAVENLY CITY, &c., the ideal of the Church of Christ in glory; CITY OF REFUGE, by the Jewish law a city where the perpetrator of an accidental murder might flee for refuge.--ETERNAL CITY, Rome; HOLY CITY, Jerusalem.--THE CITY, THE CITY OF LONDON, that part of London where business is principally carried on. [Fr. _cité_, a city--L. _civitas_, the state--_civis_, a citizen.]

CIVE, s[=i]v, _n._ See CHIVE.

CIVET, siv'et, _n._ a perfume obtained from the civet or CIV'ET-CAT, a small carnivorous animal of Africa, India, &c. [Fr. _civette_--Ar. _zabad_.]

CIVIC. See CITY.

CIVIL, siv'il, _adj._ pertaining to the community: having the refinement of city-bred people: polite: commercial, not military: lay, secular, or temporal, not ecclesiastical: pertaining to the individual citizen: (_law_) relating to private relations amongst citizens, and such suits as arise out of these, as opposed to _criminal_: (_theol._) naturally good, as opposed to good through regeneration.--_ns._ CIVIL'IAN, a professor or student of civil law (not canon law): one engaged in civil as distinguished from military and other pursuits; CIV'ILIST, one versed in civil law; CIVIL'ITY, good-breeding: politeness.--_adv._ CIV'ILLY.--_adj._ CIV'IL-SUIT'ED (_Milton_), sombrely clad.--_n._ CIV'ISM, good citizenship, state of being well-affected to the government.--CIVIL DEATH, the loss of all civil and legal but not natural privileges, as by outlawry: CIVIL ENGINEER, one who plans rail-ways, docks, &c., as opposed to a military engineer, or to a mechanical engineer, who makes machines, &c.; CIVIL LAW, as opposed to criminal law: the law laid down by a state regarding the rights of the inhabitants; CIVIL LIST, now the expenses of the sovereign's household only; CIVIL LIST PENSIONS, those granted by royal favour; CIVIL SERVICE, the paid service of the state, in so far as it is not military or naval; CIVIL WAR, a war between citizens of the same state. [L. _civ[=i]lis_--_civis_.]

CIVILISE, siv'il-[=i]z, _v.t._ to reclaim from barbarism: to instruct in arts and refinements.--_adj._ CIV'ILISABLE.--_n._ CIVILIS[=A]'TION, state of being civilised--_p.adj._ CIV'ILISED.--_n._ CIV'ILISER.

CLABBER, klab'[.e]r, _n._ (_Scot._). [Gael. _clabar_, mud.]

CLACHAN, kla'han, _n._ (_Scot._) a small village. [Gael. _clachan_--_clach_, stone.]

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_.]

CLAP, klap, _n._ gonorrhea. [Cf. Dut. _klapoor_.]

CLAQUE, klak, _n._ an institution for securing the success of a public performance, by bestowing upon it preconcerted applause.--_n._ CLAQ'UEUR, a member of the claque. [Fr. _claquer_, to clap.]

CLARABELLA, klar-a-bel'a, _n._ an organ-stop of a sweet fluty tone.

CLARENCE, klar'ens, _n._ a four-wheeled carriage, seated inside for two or more persons. [Named after William IV. when Duke of _Clarence_.]

CLARENCEUX, CLARENCIEUX, klar'en-s[=u], _n._ (_her._) the second king-of-arms in England, so named from the Duke of _Clarence_, son of Edward III.

CLARENDON, klar'en-don, _n._ (_print._) a form of type having a heavy face.

CLARE-OBSCURE. Same as CHIAROSCURO.

CLARET, klar'et, _n._ originally applied to wines of a light-red colour, but now used in England for the dark-red wines of Bordeaux: (_slang_) blood.--_v.i._ to drink claret.--_ns._ CLAR'ET-CUP, a drink made up of iced claret, brandy, sugar, &c.; CLAR'ET-JUG, a fancy jug for holding claret. [Fr. _clairet_--_clair_--L. _clarus_, clear.]

CLARIFY, klar'i-f[=i], _v.t._ to make clear or pure.--_v.i._ to become clear:--_pr.p._ clar'ifying; _pa.p._ clar'ified.--_ns._ CLARIFIC[=A]'TION; CLAR'IFIER, that which clarifies or purifies. [L. _clarus_, clear, and _fac[)e]re_, to make.]

CLARION, klar'i-on, _n._ a kind of trumpet whose note is clear and shrill: the sound of a trumpet, or a sound resembling that of a trumpet.--_ns._ CLAR'INET, CLAR'IONET, a wind-instrument, usually of wood, in which the sound is produced by a single thin reed.--The BASS CLARINET is pitched an octave lower than the ordinary clarinet. [Fr. _clairon_--_clair_--L. _clarus_, clear.]

CLARITY, klar'i-ti, _n._ clearness. [M. E. _clarté_--L. _claritas_.]

CLARTY, klar'ti, _adj._ (_Scot._) sticky and dirty. [Der. unknown.]

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.]

CLASSIS, klas'is, _n._ a group: judicatory. [L.]

CLASTIC, klas'tik, _adj._ breaking into fragments, fragmental. [Gr. _klastos_--_klan_, to break.]

CLATCH, klach, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to daub.--_n._ mire, anything for daubing.

CLATCH, klach, _v.t._ (_Scot._) to finish carelessly, to botch.--_n._ a piece of work spoiled or botched.

CLATCH, klach, _n._ (_Scot._) a kind of gig.

CLATHRATE, klath'r[=a]t, _adj._ latticed--also CLATH'ROID.--_adjs._ CLATH'ROSE, crossed by deep rectangular furrows; CLATH'RULATE, finely clathrate. [L. _clath-r[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_, to furnish with a lattice--Gr. _kl[=e]thra_, a lattice.]

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, kläht, _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 antennæ.--_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. _clæg_; cf. Dan. _klæg_, 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.]