clout

clout
clout (n.) O.E. clut "lump of something," also "patch of cloth put over a hole to mend it," from P.Gmc. *klutaz (Cf. O.N. klute "kerchief," Dan. klud "rag, tatter," Fris. klut "lump," Du. kluit "clod, lump"); perhaps related to CLOT (Cf. clot). In later use "a handkerchief," also "a woman's sanitary napkin." Sense of "a blow" is from early 14c., first in a verbal sense, "to beat, strike;" perhaps somehow from the "patch" sense. Sense of "personal influence" is 1958, on the notion of "punch, force."

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Clout — can mean: A blow with the hand, and various meanings: see wikt:clout Social influence Political power, refers especially to power within a political organization. Clout (band), was a five piece South African million selling all girl rock group… …   Wikipedia

  • Clout — (klout), n. [AS. cl[=u]t a little cloth, piece of metal; cf. Sw. klut, Icel. kl[=u]tr a kerchief, or W. clwt a clout, Gael. clud.] 1. A cloth; a piece of cloth or leather; a patch; a rag. [1913 Webster] His garments, nought but many ragged clouts …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Clout — Clout, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Clouted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Clouting}.] [OE. clutien. clouten, to patch. See {Clout}, n.] 1. To cover with cloth, leather, or other material; to bandage; patch, or mend, with a clout. [1913 Webster] And old shoes and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clout — [klaʊt] noun [uncountable] the power or authority to influence other people s decisions: • AT&T and BT have sufficient market clout to win the support of wireless equipment manufacturers to help develop the technology …   Financial and business terms

  • clout — ► NOUN 1) informal a heavy blow. 2) informal influence or power. 3) archaic a piece of cloth or clothing. ► VERB informal ▪ hit hard. ● ne er cast a clout till May be out Cf. ↑ …   English terms dictionary

  • clout — clout; clout·ed; …   English syllables

  • clout — [n] power authority, influence, prestige, pull*, standing, sway, weight; concept 686 clout [v] hit blow, box, clip, clobber, cuff, rap, slap, smack, sock, strike, thump, wallop, whack; concepts 189,200 …   New thesaurus

  • Clout — Allgemeine Informationen Genre(s) Pop Gründung 1977 Auflösung 1981 Gründungsmitglie …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • clout — noun authoritative power, authority, consequence, controlling power, directing power, dominancy, dominion, eminence, force, hegemony, importance, influence, influentiality, leverage, mastership, notability, potency, power, power of impelling,… …   Law dictionary

  • clout — vb *strike, hit, smite, punch, slug, slog, swat, slap, cuff, box Analogous words: *beat, pummel, thrash, baste, belabor …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”