clump
[kluhmp]
- a small, close group or cluster, especially of trees or other plants.
- a lump or mass
- a heavy, thumping step, sound, etc.
- Immunology. a cluster of agglutinated bacteria, red blood cells, etc.
- a thick extra sole on a shoe.
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- Also clomp. to walk heavily and clumsily.
- Immunology. to gather or be gathered into clumps; agglutinate.
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- to gather or form into a clump; mass.
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Origin of clump
1580–90; akin to Dutch klompe lump, mass, Old English clympre lump of metal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for clump
Contemporary Examples
The drain clogs in the shower every few days, and the clump of tangled brown hair is springy between my fingers.
For example, on Diaspora you clump people into “Aspects” like Friends, Family, and Acquaintances.
And in her right hand was a clump of hair that did not belong to her.
Only one thing was different: a clump of her hair had been cut from her head.
Historical Examples
On the homeward way they turned into a lane and came to a clump of catnip.
A Night OutEdward Peple
As a rule he waited on the top of the hill in the clump of pines.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
Philip repeated to Mr. Stubmore the story he had imparted to Mr. Clump.
Night and Morning, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
How would this clump of bushes serve for a hiding place while we wait?
The Rock of ChickamaugaJoseph A. Altsheler
Crouching low in the shade of a clump of bushes, Grant stole toward the spot.
Good IndianB. M. Bower
clump
- a cluster, as of trees or plants
- a dull heavy tread or any similar sound
- an irregular massa clump of hair or earth
- an inactive mass of microorganisms, esp a mass of bacteria produced as a result of agglutination
- an extra sole on a shoe
- slang a blow
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- (intr) to walk or tread heavily
- to gather or be gathered into clumps, clusters, clots, etc
- to cause (bacteria, blood cells, etc) to collect together or (of bacteria, etc) to collect together
- (tr) slang to punch (someone)
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Word Origin
Old English clympe; related to Middle Dutch klampe heap of hay, Middle Low German klampe clamp ², Swedish klimp small lump
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for clump
n.
1580s, "lump; cluster of trees," from Middle English clompe "a lump" (c.1300), from Dutch klomp "lump, mass," or Middle Low German klumpe "clog, wooden shoe." Old English had clympre "lump, mass of metal."
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v.2
"walk heavily," 1660s, imitative. Related: Clumped; clumping.
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v.1
"to heap or gather in clumps" (transitive), 1824, from clump (n.). Related: Clumped; clumping. Intransitive sense "to form a clump or clumps" is recorded from 1896.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper