2 VERB If someone clings to a position or a possession they have, they do everything they can to keep it even though this may be very difficult. □ [V + to/onto ] He appears determined to cling to power. □ [V + on ] Another minister clung on with a majority of only 18. □ [V + on to ] Japan's productivity has overtaken America in some industries, but elsewhere the United States has clung on to its lead.
cling|film /kl I ŋf I lm/ also cling film N‑UNCOUNT Clingfilm is a thin, clear, stretchy plastic that you use to cover food in order to keep it fresh. [BRIT ] in AM, use plastic wrap , Saran wrap
clingy /kl I ŋi/ (clingier , clingiest )
1 ADJ If you describe someone as clingy , you mean that they become very attached to people and depend on them too much. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ A very clingy child can drive a parent to distraction.
2 ADJ Clingy clothes fit tightly round your body. □ …long clingy skirts.
clin|ic ◆◇◇ /kl I n I k/ (clinics ) N‑COUNT A clinic is a building where people go to receive medical advice or treatment. □ …a family planning clinic. COLLOCATIONS clinic NOUN
noun + clinic : abortion, family planning, fertility; GP, health, hospital, pain; addiction, rehab
adjective + clinic : antenatal, dental, medical, psychiatric; veterinary; private, walk-in
verb + clinic : attend, visit; hold, open, run
clini|cal /kl I n I k ə l/
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Clinical means involving or relating to the direct medical treatment or testing of patients. [MEDICAL ] □ The first clinical trials were expected to begin next year. □ …a clinical psychologist. ● clini|cal|ly /kl I n I kli/ ADV [usu ADV adj/-ed] □ It has been clinically proved that it is better to stretch the tight muscles first.
2 ADJ You use clinical to describe thought or behaviour which is very logical and does not involve any emotion. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ All this questioning is so analytical and clinical–it kills romance.
cli ni|cal tri |al (clinical trials ) N‑COUNT When a new type of drug or medical treatment undergoes clinical trials , it is tested directly on patients to see if it is effective. □ Two rival laser surgery systems are undergoing clinical trials in the U.S.
cli|ni|cian /kl I n I ʃ ə n/ (clinicians ) N‑COUNT A clinician is a doctor who specializes in clinical work.
clink /kl I ŋk/ (clinks , clinking , clinked ) VERB If objects made of glass, pottery, or metal clink or if you clink them, they touch each other and make a short, light sound. □ [V n + against/with ] She clinked her glass against his. □ [V n] They clinked glasses. □ [V + against ] The empty bottle clinked against the seat. □ [V ] Their glasses clinked, their eyes met. ● N‑COUNT Clink is also a noun. □ [+ of ] …the clink of a spoon in a cup.
clip /kl I p/ (clips , clipping , clipped )
1 N‑COUNT A clip is a small device, usually made of metal or plastic, that is specially shaped for holding things together. □ She took the clip out of her hair.
2 VERB When you clip things together or when things clip together, you fasten them together using a clip or clips. □ [V n + to/on ] He clipped his safety belt to a fitting on the deck. □ [V n prep/adv] He clipped his cufflinks neatly in place. □ [V + to ] …an electronic pen which clips to the casing. □ [V -ed] His flashlight was still clipped to his belt.
3 N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A clip from a film or a radio or television programme is a short piece of it that is broadcast separately. □ [+ from ] …a clip from the movie 'Shane'.
4 VERB If you clip something, you cut small pieces from it, especially in order to shape it. □ [V n] I saw an old man out clipping his hedge.
5 VERB If you clip something out of a newspaper or magazine, you cut it out. □ [V n + from/out of ] Kids in his neighborhood clipped his picture from the newspaper and carried it around.
6 VERB If something clips something else, it hits it accidentally at an angle before moving off in a different direction. □ [V n] The lorry clipped the rear of a tanker and then crashed into a second truck.
7 → see also bulldog clip , clipped , clipping , paper clip
clip|board /kl I pbɔː r d/ (clipboards )
1 N‑COUNT A clipboard is a board with a clip at the top. It is used to hold together pieces of paper that you need to carry around, and provides a firm base for writing.
2 N‑COUNT In computing, a clipboard is a file where you can temporarily store text or images from one document until you are ready to use them again. [COMPUTING ]
cli p-on ADJ [ADJ n] A clip-on object is designed to be fastened to something by means of a clip. □ …a clip-on tie. □ …a clip-on light.
clipped /kl I pt/
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Clipped means neatly cut. □ …a quiet street of clipped hedges and flowering gardens.
2 ADJ If you say that someone has a clipped way of speaking, you mean they speak with quick, short sounds, and usually that they sound upper-class. □ The Chief Constable's clipped tones crackled over the telephone line.
clip|per /kl I pə r / (clippers ) N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Clippers are a tool used for cutting small amounts from something, especially from someone's hair or nails.