Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

clishmaclaver

American  
[klish-muh-kley-ver, kleesh-] / ˌklɪʃ məˈkleɪ vər, ˌkliʃ- /

noun

Scot.
  1. gossip; idle or foolish talk.


clishmaclaver British  
/ ˌklɪʃməˈkleɪvə /

noun

  1. idle talk; gossip

"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

Etymology

Origin of clishmaclaver

1720–30; clish(-clash) gossip (gradational compound based on clash ) + -ma- (< ?) + claver

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:

Houts-touts, gentlemen," quo' I, "what's the use of a' this clishmaclaver?

From The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 10, No. 275, September 29, 1827 by Various

George the Fort' didna fill the throne verra doucely for a' their clishmaclaver, and I don't think young Gourlay'll fill the pulpit verra doucely for a' ours.

From The House with the Green Shutters by Brown, George Douglas

Prince Rose-Red talked without one second's intermission the whole time I was dressing him; and I allowed it, as papa and Una were not here to be disturbed by the clishmaclaver.

From Memories of Hawthorne by Lathrop, Rose Hawthorne

Ye mind what he said o' Prince Geordie: 'Yet mony a ragged cowte's been known To mak a noble aiver; And ye may doucely fill a throne, For a' their clishmaclaver.

From The House with the Green Shutters by Brown, George Douglas

And such a clishmaclaver as that man made!

From Dear Enemy by Webster, Jean

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training