clang
English
Etymology
1570, of imitative origin; Compare also Saterland Frisian Kloang, West Frisian klank, Dutch klank, German Klang (from klingen), Danish and Swedish klang, (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Latin clangere.
Pronunciation
Noun
clang (plural clangs)
- A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other.
- Quality of tone.
- The cry of some birds, including the crane and the goose.
- (psychology, psychiatry) A word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
- 1973, Oliver Sacks, Awakenings
- For much of this day, Mrs Y. wrote in her diary, covering page after page in a rapid scrawl full of paligraphic repetitions, puns, clangs, and violent, perseverative crossings-out […]
- 1973, Oliver Sacks, Awakenings
- (music) Alternative form of klang
Translations
loud ringing sound
quality of tone
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cry of crane, goose, etc
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Verb
clang (third-person singular simple present clangs, present participle clanging, simple past and past participle clanged)
- (transitive) To strike (objects) together so as to produce a clang.
- (Can we date this quote by Prior and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- The fierce Caretes […] clanged their sounding arms.
- (Can we date this quote by Prior and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
- (intransitive) To give out a clang; to resound.
- 2015 May 25, Daniel Taylor, “Norwich reach Premier League after early blitz sees off Middlesbrough”, in The Guardian (London)[1]:
- Middlesbrough will wonder whether it might have been different if the volley that Jelle Vossen slashed towards John Ruddy’s net after nine minutes had been a couple inches lower rather than clanging off the crossbar. They should not dwell on that moment too long, however.
- 1933, Norvell Page, Wings of the Black Death:
- A cell door clanged metallically and Wentworth was flung inside. He tripped, collapsed upon the concrete floor.
- 1920, Edith Wharton, chapter XXIX, in The Age of Innocence[2]:
- The clanging and groaning of the train came nearer, and it staggered slowly into the station like a prey- laden monster into its lair.
- 1917, Rose Wilder Lane, Henry Ford’s Own Story:
- Then the sparks flew from the anvil while the great hammer clanged on the metal, shaping it, and Henry begged to be allowed to try it
Derived terms
Translations
transitive: strike (objects) together to produce a clang
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