clef /kle f/ (clefs ) N‑COUNT A clef is a symbol at the beginning of a line of music that indicates the pitch of the written notes.
cleft /kle ft/ (clefts )
1 N‑COUNT A cleft in a rock or in the ground is a narrow opening in it. □ [+ in ] …a narrow cleft in the rocks too small for humans to enter.
2 N‑COUNT A cleft in someone's chin is a line down the middle of it.
3 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone has a cleft chin, they have a cleft in their chin.
cle ft pa l|ate (cleft palates ) N‑VAR If someone has a cleft palate , they were born with a narrow opening along the roof of their mouth which makes it difficult for them to speak properly.
clema|tis /kle mət I s/ (clematises or clematis ) N‑VAR A clematis is a type of flowering shrub which can be grown to climb up walls or fences. There are many different varieties of clematis.
clem|en|cy /kle mənsi/ N‑UNCOUNT If someone is granted clemency , they are punished less severely than they could be. [FORMAL ] □ He avoided a stay in jail after a plea for clemency by his lawyer.
clem|ent /kle mənt/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Clement weather is pleasantly mild and dry. [FORMAL ]
clem|en|tine /kle mənta I n/ (clementines ) N‑COUNT A clementine is a fruit that looks like a small orange.
clench /kle ntʃ/ (clenches , clenching , clenched )
1 VERB When you clench your fist or your fist clenches , you curl your fingers up tightly, usually because you are very angry. □ [V n] Alex clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. □ [V ] She pulled at his sleeve and he turned on her, fists clenching again before he saw who it was. □ [V -ed] …angry protestors with clenched fists.
2 VERB When you clench your teeth or they clench , you squeeze your teeth together firmly, usually because you are angry or upset. □ [V n] Patsy had to clench her jaw to suppress her anger. □ [V -ed] Slowly, he released his breath through clenched teeth. [Also V ]
3 VERB If you clench something in your hand or in your teeth, you hold it tightly with your hand or your teeth. □ [V n] I clenched the arms of my chair.
cler|gy /klɜː r dʒi/ N‑PLURAL The clergy are the official leaders of the religious activities of a particular group of believers. □ These proposals met opposition from the clergy.
clergy|man /klɜː r dʒimən/ (clergymen ) N‑COUNT A clergyman is a male member of the clergy.
cler|ic /kle r I k/ (clerics ) N‑COUNT A cleric is a member of the clergy. □ His grandfather was a Muslim cleric.
cleri|cal /kle r I k ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Clerical jobs, skills, and workers are concerned with work that is done in an office. □ …a strike by clerical staff in all government departments. □ The hospital blamed the mix-up on a clerical error.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Clerical means relating to the clergy. □ …Iran's clerical leadership.
clerk /klɑː r k, [AM ] klɜː rk/ (clerks , clerking , clerked )
1 N‑COUNT A clerk is a person who works in an office, bank, or law court and whose job is to look after the records or accounts. □ She was offered a job as an accounts clerk with a travel firm.
2 N‑COUNT In a hotel, office, or hospital, a clerk is the person whose job is to answer the telephone and deal with people when they arrive. [mainly AM ] □ …a hotel clerk.
3 N‑COUNT A clerk is someone who works in a store. [AM ]
4 VERB To clerk means to work as a clerk. [mainly AM ] □ [V ] Gene clerked at the auction.
clev|er ◆◇◇ /kle və r / (cleverer , cleverest )
1 ADJ Someone who is clever is intelligent and able to understand things easily or plan things well. □ He's a very clever man. □ My sister was always a lot cleverer than I was. ● clev|er|ly ADV □ She would cleverly pick up on what I said. ● clev|er|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ Her cleverness seems to get in the way of her emotions.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] A clever idea, book, or invention is extremely effective and shows the skill of the people involved. □ …a clever and gripping novel. □ …this clever new gadget. ● clev|er|ly ADV [ADV -ed] □ …a cleverly-designed swimsuit.
cli|ché /kliː ʃe I , [AM ] kliːʃe I / (clichés ) in BRIT, also use cliche N‑COUNT A cliché is an idea or phrase which has been used so much that it is no longer interesting or effective or no longer has much meaning. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ about ] I've learned that the cliche about life not being fair is true.
cli|chéd /kliː ʃe I d, [AM ] kliːʃe I d/ in BRIT, also use cliched ADJ If you describe something as clichéd , you mean that it has been said, done, or used many times before, and is boring or untrue. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The dialogue and acting in the play are tired, cliched and corny.
click ◆◇◇ /kl I k/ (clicks , clicking , clicked )
1 VERB If something clicks or if you click it, it makes a short, sharp sound. □ [V ] The applause rose to a crescendo and cameras clicked. □ [V P + off ] He clicked off the radio. □ [V n] Blake clicked his fingers at a passing waiter, who hurried across to them. ● N‑COUNT Click is also a noun. □ The telephone rang three times before I heard a click and then her recorded voice. [Also V P + on ]