Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

clout

 - 3 dictionary results

clout

  [klout]
–noun
1. a blow, esp. with the hand; cuff: The bully gave him a painful clout on the head.
2. Informal. pull; strong influence; muscle, esp. political power: a wealthy campaign contributor with clout at city hall.
3. Baseball. a long hit, esp. 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, esp. 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.
6. Archaic.
a. a patch or piece of cloth or other material used to mend something.
b. any worthless piece of cloth; rag.
c. an article of clothing (usually used contemptuously).
–verb (used with object)
7. to strike, esp. with the hand; cuff.
8. Archaic.
a. to bandage.
b. to patch; mend.
Use clout in a Sentence
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE clūt piece of cloth or metal; c. MLG klūte, ON klūtr

Related forms:
clouter, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To clout
clout   (klout)   
n.  

  1. A blow, especially with the fist.

    1. Baseball A long powerful hit.

    2. Sports An archery target.

    3. Influence; pull: "Women in dual-earner households are gaining in job status and earnings ... giving them more clout at work and at home" (Sue Shellenbarger).

    4. Power; muscle.

  3. Informal

    1. Influence; pull: "Women in dual-earner households are gaining in job status and earnings ... giving them more clout at work and at home" (Sue Shellenbarger).

    2. Power; muscle.

  4. Chiefly Midland U.S. A piece of cloth, especially a baby's diaper.

tr.v.   clout·ed, clout·ing, clouts
To hit, especially with the fist.

[Middle English, probably from Old English clūt, cloth patch.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
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, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see clout on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
ExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyThe Daily BeastUrbanspoonAsk AnswersBloglinesSendori