clambering
[klam-ber-ing, klam-er-]
- of or relating to plants that creep or climb like vines, but without benefit of tendrils.
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Origin of clambering
clamber
[klam-ber, klam-er]
- to climb, using both feet and hands; climb with effort or difficulty.
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- an act or instance of clambering.
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Origin of clamber
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for clambering
Contemporary Examples
While clambering over the fifth wall, he fell and broke his foot.
Historical Examples
I have been sliding off and clambering on ever since I bade goodbye to Havant.
Micah ClarkeArthur Conan Doyle
And Pete was clambering up the wall by the side of the dairy window.
The ManxmanHall Caine
Wading in the water, leaping over the stones, clambering on the trunks—aw, dear!
The ManxmanHall Caine
After that he lighted the fuse, and, clambering down the slope of rock, saw Gordon.
The Greater PowerHarold Bindloss
A moment later he was heard clambering into the boat and then clambering out.
Lord JimJoseph Conrad
clamber
- (usually foll by up, over, etc) to climb (something) awkwardly, esp by using both hands and feet
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- a climb performed in this manner
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Word Origin
C15: probably a variant of climb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for clambering
clamber
v.
"to climb with difficulty using hands and feet," late 14c., possibly frequentative of Middle English climben "to climb" (preterit clamb), or akin to Old Norse klembra "to hook (oneself) on." Related: Clambered; clambering.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper