- Clout
- Clout 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, With thorns together pinned and patched was. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
A clout upon that head where late the diadem stood. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. A swadding cloth. [1913 Webster]
3. A piece; a fragment. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
4. The center of the butt at which archers shoot; -- probably once a piece of white cloth or a nail head. [1913 Webster]
A'must shoot nearer or he'll ne'er hit the clout. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. An iron plate on an axletree or other wood to keep it from wearing; a washer. [1913 Webster]
6. A blow with the hand. [Low] [1913 Webster]
{Clout nail}, a kind of wrought-iron nail heaving a large flat head; -- used for fastening clouts to axletrees, plowshares, etc., also for studding timber, and for various purposes. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
