clem

¹ American  

[klem] / klɛm /

verb (used with or without object)

British Dialect.

clemmed, clemming

1. to starve.

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Clem ² American  

[klem] / klɛm /

noun

1. a male given name, form of Clement.

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clem British  

/ klɛm /

verb

1. dialect (when tr, usually passive) to be hungry or cause to be hungry

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Etymology

Origin of clem

1530–40; akin to Middle English forclemmed (past participle) pinched with hunger, Old English beclemman to fetter

Example Sentences

Let the reader test it by substituting starve for clem in each case.

From Notes and Queries, Number 194, July 16, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc by Bell, George

Hard is the choice when the valiant must eat their arms, or clem.

From Every Man out of His Humour by Jonson, Ben

In hard times didn't we share 'em and fair clem?

From Ovington's Bank by Weyman, Stanley J.

I clem up, rech up and got holt of that box and I was so heavy I pulled it down and broke all the old blue edge plates.

From Slave Narratives: a Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Arkansas Narratives, Part 3 by Work Projects Administration

The family lived upon their savings as long as they lasted, and then were compelled to apply for relief, or "clem."

From Home-Life of the Lancashire Factory Folk during the Cotton Famine by Waugh, Edwin