See Also: clank(dictionary)
clank(dictionary)
clink-clank(dictionary)

clank (iou)



clank noun & verb. LME.
[Imit., = Middle Low German, Middle & mod. Dutch klank, Old High German klanc, klank-. Cf. CLANG, CLINK noun1, verb1, CLONK, CLUNK verb & noun2.]
A. noun. An abrupt heavy metallic sound, as of heavy pieces of metal meeting, a chain rattling, etc. LME.
B. verb.
1. verb trans. Deposit with a clank; put down heavily. E17.
2. verb intrans. Make an abrupt heavy metallic sound; move with a clank or clanks. M17.
E. Darwin Dungeons dank Where..fetters clank. J. Galsworthy The iron gates clanked open. C. P. Snow Some undergraduates came clanking through in football boots.
3. verb trans. Cause to make a clank or clanks; proclaim by a clank or clanks. M18.
J. Clare The beating snow-clad bell, with sounding dead, Hath clanked four. C. H. Sisson Gaolers..Clanking their keys.
? In isolated use before 17.
clankety-clank noun a repeated clanking sound L19.
clankless adjective (rare) that does not or do not clank E19.