clout
Use Clout in a sentence
noun
1.
a blow, especially with the hand; cuff: The bully gave him a painful clout on the head.
2.
Informal. pull; strong influence; muscle, especially political power: a wealthy campaign contributor with clout at city hall.
3.
Baseball. a long hit, especially an extra-base hit: A hard clout to deep center field drove in the winning run.
4.
Archery.
a.
the mark or target shot at, especially in long-distance shooting.
b.
a shot that hits the mark.
5.
Also called clout nail. a nail for attaching sheet metal to wood, having a short shank with a broad head.
verb (used with object)
7.
to strike, especially with the hand; cuff.
8.
Archaic.
a.
to bandage.
b.
to patch; mend.
00:10
Clout
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Origin:
before 900; Middle English; Old English clūt piece of cloth or metal; cognate with Middle Low German klūte, Old Norse klūtr
before 900; Middle English; Old English clūt piece of cloth or metal; cognate with Middle Low German klūte, Old Norse klūtr
Related forms
clout·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To clout
Collins
World English Dictionary
clout (klaʊt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | informal a blow with the hand or a hard object |
| 2. | power or influence, esp in politics |
| 3. | archery |
| a. the target used in long-distance shooting | |
| b. the centre of this target | |
| c. a shot that hits the centre | |
| 4. | Also called: clout nail a short, flat-headed nail used esp for attaching sheet metal to wood |
| 5. | dialect (Brit) |
| a. a piece of cloth: a dish clout | |
| b. a garment | |
| c. a patch | |
| —vb | |
| 6. | informal to give a hard blow to, esp with the hand |
| 7. | to patch with a piece of cloth or leather |
| [Old English clūt piece of metal or cloth, clūtian to patch (C14: to strike with the hand); related to Dutch kluit a lump, and to | |
| 'clouter | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
clout
O.E. clut "lump of something," also "patch of cloth put over a hole to mend it," from P.Gmc. *klutaz. Sense of "a blow" is from early 14c., but the metaphor is obscure. Sense of "personal influence" is 1958.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
His opponents argue that regional deals can strengthen exporters' political clout, so raising the odds of freer global trade.
Many of his original followers are now successful businessmen, and their political clout is increasing.
They have the clout to get past the top hurdle that films face to make money: distribution.
Exchanges will have the same purchasing clout as big businesses and will give consumers a choice of plans to fit their needs.
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