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-vēr′, n. the keyboard of a musical instrument: a stringed instrument, esp. the pianoforte. [Fr.,—L. clavis, a key.]
Clavis, klă′vis, n. a key, hence a clue or aid for solving problems, interpreting a cipher, &c.:—pl. Clā′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, klā, 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, klā′mōr, 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, klē′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. clǽne; 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.