clem
verb (used with or without object)
to starve.
clem
1 American
[klem]
/ klɛm /
verb (used with or without object)
British Dialect.
clemmed,
clemming
Clem
2
American
[klem]
/ klɛm /
noun
clem
British
/ klɛm /
verb
Etymology
Origin of clem
1530–40; akin to Middle English forclemmed (past participle) pinched with hunger, Old English beclemman to fetter
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In a time of prosperity, working-people feast, and in a time of adversity they "clem."
From Thrift by Samuel Smiles
We're but where we was; and I'll break stones on th' road afore I let these little uns clem.'
From North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
I clem up and look through the log cracks at him cutting up the meat fer the hands on his place.
From Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves, Arkansas Narratives, Part 4 by Work Projects Administration
Mon, it's sich a nasty, dirty job; aw'd as soon clem!
From Home-Life of the Lancashire Factory Folk during the Cotton Famine by Edwin Waugh
"I cannot eat stones and turfs: say, what will he clem me and my followers?"
From Notes and Queries, Number 191, June 25, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell
One Labour source joked, "there are rumours that they've brought an ouija board through the green baize door to consult Clem Atlee and Harold Wilson".
From BBC ● May 9, 2026
"They work for a period of years to earn and graduate essentially into this role and working in the front room," Clem added.
From Barron's ● Apr. 4, 2026
And Clem receives hundreds of comments a year, because he makes his email contact information readily available.
From MarketWatch ● Feb. 24, 2026
Blondie’s drummer, Clem Burke, was my manager and produced my first record.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2025
I’m standing still not knowing which way to turn when Clem looks up.
From "Finding Langston" by Lesa Cline-Ransome
Father, father!" said I. "Thou'll never go peach on that poor clemmed man.
From North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
He wor fairly clemmed wi' t' cold,—'at he wor.
From The History of David Grieve by Mrs. Humphry Ward
Will you be clemmed, or will you be worried?'
From Mary Barton by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
"When my entrails Were clemmed with keeping a perpetual fast."
From Notes and Queries, Number 191, June 25, 1853 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell
She said that her husband was not strong, and he had been going nearly barefoot and "clemmed" all through last winter, and she was afraid he had got his death of cold.
From Home-Life of the Lancashire Factory Folk during the Cotton Famine by Edwin Waugh
Father were stunned wi' the blow at first, for all Boucher were weak wi' passion and wi' clemming.
From North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
I'd scorn to speak for mysel; but when I see such men as Davenport there dying away, for very clemming, I cannot stand it.
From Mary Barton by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
She was young, and had not yet learned to bear "clemming."
From Mary Barton by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Yet not for his sake; for where'er he is, and whate'er, he'll ne'er know other clemming or cold again; but for the wife's sake, and the bits o' childer.'
From North and South by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Now clemming is a quiet death, and worrying isn't, so I choose clemming, and come into th' Union.
From Mary Barton by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
