clatell

Catalan

Alternative forms

• clotell

Etymology

From clotell, diminutive of clot.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): (Northern) [kləˈte̞ʎ]
• IPA^(key): (Balearic, Central) [kləˈteʎ]
• IPA^(key): (Valencia, Northwestern) [klaˈteʎ]

• Audio (Barcelona):

  (file)

Noun

clatell m (plural clatells)

1. nape, back of the neck

   Synonym: bescoll

   • 1906, Josep Morató i Grau, Els habitants de la lluna, Ilustració Catalana, page 65:

     Se’l veya córrer per la vila ab el barret al clatell, no adonantse de ningú, xiulant de baix en baix tonades tristes ò mormolant tot sol com si s’hagués tornat tarumba.

     He was seen running around town with his hat in the back of his neck, unaware of anyone, softly whistling sad tunes or mumbling to himself as if dazed.

Derived terms

• clatellada
• clatellejar
• clatellot
• clatellut

Further reading

• “clatell”, in Diccionari de la llengua catalana [Dictionary of the Catalan Language] (in Catalan), second edition, Institute of Catalan Studies [Catalan: Institut d'Estudis Catalans], April 2007